Photo Credit: SMU Football
DALLAS, Texas – We are two days away from SMU’s first football game of the 2022 season. The UNT Eagles are set to host the SMU Mustangs for their week one matchup.
There is a lot of anticipation going into Saturday’s game, as SMU fans will get their first look at Head Coach Rhett Lashlee’s team. While Lashlee served as offensive coordinator for the Mustangs during the 2018 – 2019 season, this will be his first game as a head coach.
Summer and Fall training camps produced aa great turn out for the Mustangs as the players adjusted to the new coaching staff and recruits. At the end of Fall Camp, offensive line coach Garin Justice spoke on what it takes to build a team of new players and coaches. “I think it’s doing the right things over time, that’s how it happens,” Justice said. “I’m usually from the standpoint that I’m going to trust you until I can’t.”
For the SMU’s offensive line, the trust they built over training camp will be very important on Saturday as they go up against UNT’s defense, led by defensive coach Phil Bennet, who shut out UTEP last week with a 31-13 win.
The Mustang’s offense is led by the Oklahoma transfer, quarterback Tanner Mordecai who is expected to start in Saturday’s game. Sophomore Prestone Stone will be the back-up quarterback this season, but gave Mordecai intense competition during training camp. Offensive coordinator Casey Woods told the media on Tuesday, “There will be opportunities for Stone to play and not in a package situation.”
SMU will be facing a solid receiver group out of UNT, which will give The Mustang’s secondary an opportunity to redeem themselves from last seasons performance. SMU’s secondary was one of the worst in the country last season allowing the seventh-most passing yards per game. However, corners like Sam Westfall, Kevaris Harris, Ar’mani Johnson and Jahari Rogers have stepped up to the plate during training camp, allowing coaches to feel optimistic about the direction they’re heading in.
The Mustangs and Eagles will go head to head this Saturday at Apogee Stadium at 6:30 PM.
