The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Mustangs hope to find first win in conference play

SMU Football.jpg
The Mustangs begin conference play against East Carolina on Saturday. Photo credit: Ryan Miller

SMU football starts American Athletic Conference play on Saturday with a visit to Greenville, N.C. to take on East Carolina University.

The Mustangs just completed one of college football’s hardest nonconference schedules, and the start of conference season is not much friendlier, especially for a team seeking its first win of the season. East Carolina (3-1) is ranked 22nd in the AP poll and averages 582 yards of offense per game, which ranks seventh nationally.

“They’re great offensively,” SMU Interim Head Coach Tom Mason said. “Their receivers are probably as good as [the teams] we’ve been playing. The quarterback’s a good solid player. The thing that’s an advantage [for us] a little bit is we’ve faced all that offense the last [month].”

Led by quarterback Shane Carden, a Houston native, The Pirates score 43.3 points per game and pass for 392 pass yards per game, good for 13th and sixth in the nation, respectively. On Sept. 20, they dropped 70 points and 789 yards on North Carolina.

“We’re going to have our hands full to say the least,” SMU Defensive Backs Coach Derrick Odum said. “But the guys are excited. I said, ‘This is what you signed up for, and if you’re a competitor you want to play against the best. And here you go, you got it.’”

Injuries have taken a toll on SMU’s defensive backfield. The timing is not good for the Mustangs, who will face one of the country’s best receivers in Justin Hardy.

Safety Shakiel Randolph left the game against TCU with an injury and did not return. Cornerbacks Horace Richardson and J.R. Richardson were limited in the last two games due to nagging injuries. Randolph’s status for Saturday remains unknown. The extent to which the two cornerbacks will play is also unknown.

SMU’s much-maligned offense showed more signs of life against TCU, but still could not find the end zone.

Making his first career start, quarterback Garrett Krstich led a 15-play, 76-yard drive in the second quarter, but it ended at TCU’s 1-yard line when his fourth-down pass fell incomplete. On SMU’s next drive, a touchdown pass from Krstich to Darius Joseph was overturned upon review. But the effort was enough to earn Krstich the start against the Pirates.

While Krstich has taken a lot of sacks, he has protected the ball well. The Mustangs have committed just one turnover when he has been on the field. But for SMU to move the ball, Krstich must get the ball out faster. SMU’s offensive line struggled to block the superior athletes on Baylor, Texas A&M; and TCU’s defensive lines. A game against AAC competition could be just what the group needs.

The offensive line must show improvement, but the Mustangs’ defense faces the real test: stopping the Pirates’ trio of playmakers. Carden has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hardy, a former walk-on, has 29 catches for 359 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Breon Allen has tallied 346 rushing yards and averages almost 10 yards per carry.

The Pirates and the Mustangs are both former members of Conference-USA and last met in 2010. SMU won that game 45-38 in overtime, sealing a spot in the conference championship game. Saturday’s game will be the fifth all-time meeting between two teams, with each team winning twice.

The game kicks off at 11 a.m. and can be seen on ESPNU.

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