The Reclamation Initiative | The Coaching Career of Nico Augustine

[Caesar]

A win's a win. Like I said, no one's stopping ya.

[Captain Canada]

honestly, my biggest regret about Coastal is not taking them to the SEC instead of the ACC. May have been able to keep that bihh running with some real competition. Instead, we had Vaughn snatching Mario's chain every year

Snatching Mario's chain annually definitely gets old after a while, but you still did your thing. Legendary chise, brother.

A win's a win. Like I said, no one's stopping ya.

I wouldn't be too mad about you being right, a second National title sounds about right

[djp73]

Got tested and passed

[Captain Canada]

Got tested and passed

The trials continue, we've hung around so far.

[Captain Canada]

Saturday, September 27, 2030 | Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, TN)

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Week 5 Preview: at #16 Tennessee (3-1, 1-1)

Synopsis
The Mustangs continue their road trip challenge from Hell, this time making their way down to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville to take on the number 16 ranked Tennessee Volunteers.

The Volunteers' offense has been their strong point thus far, firing 40.8 Points Per Game through their first four games of the season, firing on all cylinders off the talented arm of quarterback Randall Fowler. Similarly to what SMU faced off against last week against the Texas Longhorns, Fowler presents a dual threat type of quarterback. His cannon of an arm allows him to stretch the field vertically and keep safeties honest, while his incredible speed allows him to stretch plays when the pocket breaks down. His ability to throw with pinpoint accuracy while on scrambling is an asset.

Defensively, Pre-season All-American SAM linebacker Allen Turay has certainly played himself into becoming a no-argument first round draft pick if (when) he declares for the NFL Draft this winter. His ability to move laterally and relentless pursuit for the ball has made him an asset in a Volunteers' defense that has hunted down the quarterback to the tune of 20 sacks to start the season. It isn't often the Mustangs face off against a team that brings more pressure than they do, but here we are

Keeping quarterback Steven Bequette upright is going to be integral for the Mustangs to get their offense going. It hasn't been as explosive as they are used to from the Alonzo Cheeseman era, but it has been efficient and they have managed to keep the ball out of danger to start the season. The running back duo of Shaq Thomas and Brian Volson will have to remain steadfast for the Mustangs to open their offense up.

Spread: SMU -7.5

SMU Team Stats
Points: 27.3
Points Allowed: 17.3
Total Sacks: 15
Red Zone Conv.: 47%
Turnover Diff.: +1

Tennessee Team Stats
Points: 40.8
Points Allowed: 28.0
Total Sacks: 20
Red Zone Conv.: 61%
Turnover Diff.: +5

SMU Impact Players
QB Steven Bequette, Fr -- 80 overall | 92 Throw Power | 86 Short Throw Accuracy | 76 Throw Under Pressure
WR Eric DeLuca, Rs So -- 90 overall | 92 Speed | 86 Catching | 95 Spectacular Catch
CB Cole Crews, Jr -- 93 overall | 99 Speed | 97 Change-of-Direction | 86 Man Coverage

Tennessee Impact Players
QB Randall Fowler, Rs Jr -- 91 overall | 91 Speed | 94 Throw Power | 89 Throw on the Run
WR Gordon Willies, Rs So -- 91 overall | 90 Acceleration | 94 Change-of-Direction | 90 Catching
SAM Allen Turay, Rs Jr -- 94 overall | 99 Tackle | 89 Block Shedding | 99 Pursuit

Injury Report
SMU: HB Dwayne Sowells - Dislocated Ankle (2 weeks)
Tennessee: HB Kwabena Shittu - Hamstring Tear (3 weeks) | CB Joel Baum - Knee Cartilage Tear (3 weeks)

Key Matchup
OG Joaquin Paredes vs DT George Laborn

[djp73]

Tennessee is putting up some points

[redsox907]

is Heupel still at Tenn? He could never win a big game

[Soapy]

i feel like this begins with a mini shootout and then yall pull away

[Captain Canada]

Tennessee is putting up some points

They scoring scoring so far

is Heupel still at Tenn? He could never win a big game

Nah, he's over at LSU now. They've got Jon Sumrall at head coach now

i feel like this begins with a mini shootout and then yall pull away

Say less, brudda.

[Captain Canada]

(4-0, 1-0 SEC) @(3-1, 1-1 SEC)

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Crews shut the door on Vols' comeback attempt, Mustangs prevail


‣ Cornerback Cole Crews slammed the door on the a strong Volunteers' comeback attempt.

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Score

FINAL	1	2	3	4	T
#2 SMU	0	14	14	10	38
#16 Tennessee	0	10	0	14	24

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Game Summary

For three quarters, number 2 SMU looked like the explosive force that opened the season. However, come the fourth quarter, all they could do is survive.

And in the final second, they slammed the door shut. SMU knocked off number 16 Tennessee 38-24 on the road in Week 5, capping the win with a game-sealing - and game-breaking - defensive touchdown from cornerback Cole Crews, their prized acquisition in the transfer portal from Texas A&M.

After grinding out back-to-back close wins over Notre Dame and Texas, SMU's offense finally broke through again, surpassing the 30-point mark for the first time since its Week 1 win over Miami. The Mustangs did their damage in the middle quarters, pouring in 28 combined points in the second and third to take a commanding 28-10 lead into the fourth.

The balanced attack and tempo control, led by freshman running back Shaq Thomas, defined SMU early in the season returned, allowing them to dictate pace in a hostile environment.

However, Tennessee didn't fold.

The Volunteers stormed back in the fourth quarter with two quick touchdown drives, cutting into the deficit and swinging momentum squarely in their favor. As SMU's offense stalled, Tennessee found itself with the ball and a chance to tie - or even take the lead - late in the game.

The opportunity never materialized. With Tennessee driving in the final moments, Crews stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception 71 yards for a touchdown as time expired, silencing the crowd in Neyland Stadium and turning a tense finish into a statement scoreline.

SMU now heads into its bye week, a timely pause to regroup before another major test await.

Up next, the Mustangs will be engaged in a showdown with Texas A&M, where the Mustangs will look to sharpen their edge and continue their push toward another championship run.

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Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
NO SCORING

2nd Quarter
(4:41) Cal McCalebb, 2-yard run (Diego Rucci kick) [SMU 7 - 0 TENN]
(1:53) Alex Nicks, 37-yard pass from Randall Fowler (Charlie Kruger kick) [SMU 7 - 7 TENN]
(0:56) Kenyon Natson, 26-yard pass from Steven Bequette (Diego Rucci kick) [SMU 14 - 7 TENN]
(0:00) Charlie Kruger, 29-yard field goal [SMU 14 - 10 TENN]

3rd Quarter
(4:06) Kenyon Natson, 63-yard pass from Steven Bequette (Diego Rucci kick) [SMU 21 - 10 TENN]
(1:14) Justice Spielman, 18-yard run (Diego Rucci kick) [SMU 28 - 10 TENN]

4th Quarter
(9:01) Diego Rucci, 39-yard field goal [SMU 31 - 10 TENN]
(3:34) David Droogsma, 21-yard pass from Randall Fowler (Charlie Kruger kick) [SMU 31 - 17 TENN]
(3:14) Jabu Olonilua, 43-yard pass from Randall Fowler (Charlie Kruger kick) [SMU 31 - 24 TENN]
(0:01) Cole Crews, 71-yard returned interception (Diego Rucci kick) [SMU 38 - 24 TENN]

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Team Statistics
QB Steven Bequette: 24-31, 366 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, fumble (lost)
QB Randall Fowler: 37-48, 411 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, interception

HB Shaq Thomas: 13 carries, 66 rushing yards, fumble (lost)
HB Cal McCalebb: 11 carries, 33 rushing yards, 5 catches, 35 receiving yards
HB Justice Spielman: 5 carries, 20 rushing yards, touchdown
HB David Sweet: 8 carries, 31 rushing yards, 3 catches, 24 receiving yards
HB Justin Tangelo: 4 carries, 13 rushing yards, 3 catches, 11 receiving yards

WR Kenyon Natson: 7 catches, 145 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
WR Eric DeLuca: 7 catches, 91 receiving yards
WR Mustafa Agude: 3 catches, 71 receiving yards
WR Gordon Willies: 5 catches, 81 receiving yards
WR Alex Nicks: 3 catches, 77 receiving yards, touchdown
WR David Droogsma: 10 catches, 75 receiving yards, touchdown

MIKE Eric Vizcaino: 11 tackles, 3 tackles for loss
EDGE Davon Kamara: 7 tackles, tackle for loss, 0.5 sack
MIKE Eli Nall: 7 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, sack
CB Cole Crews: 5 tackles, interception, 2 pass breakups, touchdown
FS Amani Ijalana: 16 tackles, tackle for loss, pass breakup
MIKE Barry Johns: 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
WILL Raekwon Glennon: 9 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery
DT George Laborn: 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack