Mustangs ready for the challenge as SMU faces first major test at Maryland

UNIVERSITY PARK – Followers who’ve adopted sports activities lengthy sufficient are no less than acquainted within the linguistic nature of Coachspeak. It’s a manner coaches can say the precise factor, even when it’s not essentially the most sincere factor. Even the worst of groups have been described as a problem in Coachspeak.

That’s to not say coaches gained’t be candid, nevertheless. Take SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons’ phrase for it.

“To be sincere, if each recreation is the Tremendous Bowl, then the Tremendous Bowl isn’t that necessary,” Symons mentioned.

Some context: Symons was requested this week in regards to the vitality stage from the gamers within the Mustangs’ 45-16 win over Lamar on Saturday. Was there was a instructing level for a group that “sputtered,” based on head coach Rhett Lashlee, in a still-convincing victory over a FCS-level opponent?

“There’s going to be a special stage of urgency,” Symons continued, electing to not use Coachspeak. “It’s pure. It’s human nature. It’s our job as a training employees to ensure they’re ready they usually’re targeted, however you’re going to rise up totally different in numerous video games. Any coach that tells you [differently] is stuffed with it.”

And the way about this weekend’s recreation, in opposition to one of many nation’s greatest offenses, in a spot that’s one of many first in Huge Ten nation to see the run rise? Symons isn’t fearful about SMU’s sense of urgency for this one.

The Mustangs have dominated the primary two weeks of the Lashlee period, however will get their first main take a look at this weekend once they head to Maryland. The Terrapins can boast the nation’s greatest yards per play common, and although the competitors to date – dwelling in opposition to Buffalo and on the street in opposition to Charlotte – hasn’t precisely been the hardest, the Mustangs see a group with Energy 5 expertise that’s able to offering fairly the problem.

“I do know they’re enjoying rather well coming off a bowl win – actually a bowl blowout win final 12 months,” mentioned Lashlee, referring to Maryland’s 54-10 Pinstripe Bowl win over Virginia Tech. “I do know [Maryland head coach Mike Locksley] can have them able to go.”

Lashlee additionally is aware of their offense is greater than able to maintaining together with his high-powered assault. Lashlee mentioned he as soon as recruited Taulia Tagovailoa and is acquainted with his arm capacity and mobility inside the pocket. Tagovailoa – right-handed, in contrast to his left-handed older brother, Tua – is in his third season as Maryland’s beginning quarterback.

Tagovailoa additionally has loads of weapons round him. The backfield of Roman Hemby and Antwain Littleton II and Colby McDonald has mixed for 298 yards speeding and 6 touchdowns on 30 carries. They’ve three receivers with over 100 yards receiving to date in Jacob Copeland, Jeshaun Jones and Rakim Jarrett, a consensus former five-star recruit.

SMU freshman edge rusher Isaiah Smith is aware of Jarrett properly. They each went to St. John’s School in Washington D.C.

“I respect him loads and I respect his recreation, however we’re going to go at him,” Smith mentioned of Jarrett. “And that’s all I’ve to say about that.”

Saturday can be a homecoming for Smith, however when requested about it this week he was fast to sign his true focus for this weekend. For instance, he was requested if there was a meal he hoped to get whereas on the town.

His reply: “Simply the sport. 6 p.m. School Park.”

One other instance: What number of tickets for household do you need to request?

“Lots,” Smith mentioned, “however I’m targeted on the sport.”

That’s music to a training employees’s ears, particularly contemplating the take a look at the Mustangs have on the sector come Saturday.

“We’re beat up in some areas. We’re going to go in there and play as arduous as we will,” Lashlee mentioned. “It’ll be good to see how we struggle and we reply in an atmosphere the place there are about 80 individuals in your facet and some mothers and dads within the stands and that’s about it.”

Maryland’s fan turnout has been the subject of debate for the reason that season opener. A photograph of the stadium early in Maryland’s win over Buffalo went viral as a result of lack of followers within the stands. The official attendance from that recreation – a midday begin – was 30,223.

Speaking to reporters this week, Locksley urged Maryland followers to come back out to the sport in opposition to SMU, which is about to kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT.

SMU has been getting ready for that, as properly. They funneled in loud white noise into the indoor observe heart on Wednesday throughout observe.

“There’s emotion concerned in enjoying on the street,” Lashlee mentioned.

And pleasure, which is why the Mustangs coaches are assured there group can be prepared for the problem in opposition to Maryland. No Coachspeak mandatory.

Briefly: SMU defensive lineman DeVere Levelston’s focusing on enchantment was denied, which means he’ll miss the primary half in opposition to Maryland. For the primary time this 12 months the NCAA is permitting colleges to enchantment second-half focusing on calls … SMU extensive receiver Jake Bailey has practiced this week and can be a game-time determination, per Lashlee. He injured his shoulder in fall camp and was pulled early within the season opener in opposition to UNT. He didn’t play in opposition to Lamar.

On Twitter: @JoeJHoyt

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