2023 SMU Mustangs football team explained
The 2023 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mustangs played their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas, a separate city within the city limits of Dallas, and competed in the American Athletic Conference (The American). They were led by second-year head coach Rhett Lashlee.
For the first time since 2019, the Mustangs won six conference games. The Mustangs finished the regular season going 8–0 in conference play to qualify for the AAC Championship Game, for the Mustangs' first appearance in a conference championship game since the 2010 CUSA Championship Game. SMU defeated Tulane 26–14 in the title game for the program's first conference title since 1984 when the Mustangs won a share of the Southwest Conference title.[1] After defeating Tulane, SMU accepted a bid to compete in the 2023 Fenway Bowl against Boston College. In the final CFP rankings, SMU fell one spot behind undefeated C-USA champion Liberty University, narrowly missing the opportunity to play in the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon on New Year's Day.[2] [3] [4]
This was SMU's final season in the American before they moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024.[5]
Preseason
Media poll
The American Athletic Conference preseason poll was released on July 25. The Mustangs were predicted to finish third in the conference.[6]
| Media poll |
| 1 | Tulane | 457 (20) |
| 2 | UTSA | 440 (9) |
| 3 | SMU | 397 (3) |
| 4 | Memphis | 362 (1) |
| 5 | Florida Atlantic | 312 |
| 6 | East Carolina | 303 |
| 7 | North Texas | 261 |
| 8 | UAB | 209 (1) |
| 9 | Navy | 199 |
| 10 | Temple | 182 |
| 11 | Tulsa | 160 |
| 12 | Rice | 138 |
| 13 | South Florida | 86 |
| 14 | Charlotte | 64 | |
Schedule
SMU and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) announced the 2023 football schedule on February 21, 2023.[7] The Mustangs' regular season schedule consisted of six home games and six away games.
SMU played three of the six new conference members, hosting Charlotte and North Texas and traveled to Rice. Additionally, SMU hosted AAC foes Tulsa and Navy and traveled to East Carolina, Temple, and Memphis.
For non-conference play, SMU hosted Louisiana Tech from Conference USA and FCS Prairie View A&M from the Southwestern Athletic Conference and traveled to Oklahoma and TCU, both from the Big 12 Conference.
Game summaries
Louisiana Tech
See also: 2023 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team.
| Statistics | LT | SMU |
|---|
| First downs | 11 | 24 |
| Total yards | 269 | 457 |
| Rushing yards | 28 | 209 |
| Passing yards | 241 | 248 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 26:03 | 33:57 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana Tech | Passing | | 21/33, 241 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Charvis Thornton | 8 rushes, 24 yards |
| Receiving | Koby Duru | 3 receptions, 55 yards, TD |
| SMU | Passing | | 23/37, 248 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | L. J. Johnson Jr. | 14 rushes, 128 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Jordan Hudson | 2 receptions, 72 yards, TD | |
SMU opened the season by defeating Louisiana Tech 38–14. The previous day, SMU had announced that it would join the
Atlantic Coast Conference starting in the 2024 season.
[8] At No. 18 Oklahoma
See also: 2023 Oklahoma Sooners football team.
| Statistics | SMU | OU |
|---|
| First downs | 21 | 22 |
| Total yards | 367 | 365 |
| Rushing yards | 117 | 189 |
| Passing yards | 250 | 176 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 32:20 | 27:40 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 26/45, 250 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Jaylan Knighton | 15 rushes, 76 yards |
| Receiving | Jake Bailey | 7 receptions, 73 yards |
| Oklahoma | Passing | | 19/27, 176 yards, 4 TD |
| Rushing | | 21 rushes, 117 yards |
| Receiving | | 7 receptions, 76 yards, TD | |
During the
2022 season, SMU signed a contract with the University of Oklahoma to play a two game series non-conference series, which would consist of one home game for each team in the 2023 and 2027 series.
[9] The
Sooners defeated SMU 28–11 in Norman.
[10] Prairie View A&M
| Statistics | PV | SMU |
|---|
| First downs | 10 | 28 |
| Total yards | 156 | 566 |
| Rushing yards | 94 | 177 |
| Passing yards | 62 | 389 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 34:14 | 25:46 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Prairie View A&M | Passing | Trazon Connley | 6/14, 51 yards |
| Rushing | Ronald Young Jr. | 7 rushes, 32 yards |
| Receiving | Khristopher Simmons | 3 receptions, 25 yards |
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 15/20, 300 yards, 5 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Camar Wheaton | 16 rushes, 75 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Roderick Daniels Jr. | 3 receptions, 96 yards, TD | |
At TCU
See also: 2023 TCU Horned Frogs football team.
| Statistics | SMU | TCU |
|---|
| First downs | 21 | 25 |
| Total yards | 416 | 457 |
| Rushing yards | 158 | 192 |
| Passing yards | 258 | 265 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:12 | 29:48 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 16/35, 258 yards, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Camar Wheaton | 16 rushes, 73 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Jordan Kerley | 1 reception, 51 yards |
| TCU | Passing | | 23/32, 261 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | | 25 rushes, 126 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Chase Curtis | 2 receptions, 55 yards, TD | |
Prior to the start of the 2023 season, TCU announced it was indefinitely suspending the
Battle for the Iron Skillet after the 2025 season. TCU defeated SMU 34–17.
[11] Charlotte
See also: 2023 Charlotte 49ers football team.
| Statistics | CLT | SMU |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 19 |
| Total yards | 331 | 363 |
| Rushing yards | 167 | 228 |
| Passing yards | 164 | 135 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 35:25 | 24:35 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Charlotte | Passing | Trexler Ivey | 10/17, 107 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | Terron Kellman | 9 rushes, 69 yards |
| Receiving | Jack Hestera | 7 receptions, 81 yards, TD |
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 14/23, 135 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Jaylan Knighton | 11 rushes, 150 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Jake Bailey | 3 receptions, 34 yards | |
SMU defeated Charlotte 34–16. Former
President George W. Bush attended the game and participated in the coin toss.
[12] At East Carolina
See also: 2023 East Carolina Pirates football team.
| Statistics | SMU | ECU |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 15 |
| Total yards | 333 | 290 |
| Rushing yards | 57 | 97 |
| Passing yards | 276 | 193 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 25:40 | 34:20 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 19/38, 276 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Jaylan Knighton | 11 rushes, 26 yards |
| Receiving | Jordan Kerley | 3 receptions, 69 yards |
| East Carolina | Passing | | 12/26, 155 yards |
| Rushing | Mason Garcia | 12 rushes, 38 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Chase Sowell | 7 receptions, 120 yards | |
At Temple
See also: 2023 Temple Owls football team.
| Statistics | SMU | TEM |
|---|
| First downs | 36 | 12 |
| Total yards | 563 | 131 |
| Rushing yards | 205 | 24 |
| Passing yards | 358 | 107 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 35:02 | 24:58 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 23/36, 300 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Jaylan Knighton | 15 rushes, 64 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Romello Brinson | 5 receptions, 87 yards |
| Temple | Passing | Forrest Brock | 7/15, 60 yards, INT |
| Rushing | Joquez Smith | 4 rushes, 19 yards |
| Receiving | Zae Baines | 2 receptions, 27 yards | |
Tulsa
See also: 2023 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team.
| Statistics | TLSA | SMU |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 26 |
| Total yards | 247 | 638 |
| Rushing yards | 123 | 192 |
| Passing yards | 124 | 446 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:13 | 29:47 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Tulsa | Passing | Braylon Braxton | 10/20, 92 yards, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Anthony Watkins | 15 rushes, 50 yards |
| Receiving | Devan Williams | 3 receptions, 57 yards |
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 15/20, 371 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Camar Wheaton | 9 rushes, 80 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | | 2 receptions, 95 yards, TD | |
SMU defeated Tulsa 69–10, attaining
bowl eligibility. They scored over 50 points in the first half, doing so for the first time since their
77–63 victory over
Houston the previous season.
[13] At Rice
See also: 2023 Rice Owls football team.
| Statistics | SMU | RICE |
|---|
| First downs | 28 | 13 |
| Total yards | 477 | 290 |
| Rushing yards | 223 | 124 |
| Passing yards | 254 | 166 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:31 | 28:29 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 15/28, 217 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Preston Stone | 8 rushes, 81 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Jake Bailey | 4 receptions, 73 yards |
| Rice | Passing | Chase Jenkins | 10/16, 85 yards, INT |
| Rushing | Dean Connors | 7 rushes, 77 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Rawson MacNeill | 2 receptions, 68 yards | |
SMU defeated Rice 36–31, winning the
Mayor's Cup. SMU quarterback
Preston Stone and Rice quarterback
JT Daniels both suffered from concussions during the game. Stone's concussion put his start against UNT the next week into question, while Daniels did not play again for the rest of the season, announcing his retirement after its conclusion.
[14] [15] North Texas
See also: 2023 North Texas Mean Green football team.
| Statistics | UNT | SMU |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 28 |
| Total yards | 372 | 552 |
| Rushing yards | 132 | 318 |
| Passing yards | 240 | 234 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 26:34 | 33:26 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| North Texas | Passing | | 18/31, 240 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Oscar Adaway III | 11 rushes, 90 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Trey Cleveland | 3 receptions, 72 yards, TD |
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 11/20, 234 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Jaylan Knighton | 17 rushes, 129 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Moochie Dixon | 3 receptions, 99 yards, TD | |
Quarterback Stone cleared concussion protocol prior to the game against UNT,
[16] allowing him to lead the team to a 45–21 victory in the
Safeway Bowl.
[17] At Memphis
See also: 2023 Memphis Tigers football team.
| Statistics | SMU | MEM |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 24 |
| Total yards | 444 | 464 |
| Rushing yards | 158 | 62 |
| Passing yards | 286 | 402 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:10 | 31:50 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 15/23, 286 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | L. J. Johnson Jr. | 21 rushes, 115 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Keyshawn Smith | 3 receptions, 63 yards |
| Memphis | Passing | | 35/51, 402 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | | 10 rushes, 41 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Roc Taylor | 8 receptions, 146 yards | |
Both SMU and Memphis were undefeated in conference play prior to the game, meaning the loser would likely be eliminated from contention to play in the
conference championship.
[18] SMU defeated Memphis 38–34.
Navy
See also: 2023 Navy Midshipmen football team.
| Statistics | NAVY | SMU |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 21 |
| Total yards | 253 | 487 |
| Rushing yards | 182 | 118 |
| Passing yards | 71 | 369 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 32:04 | 27:56 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Navy | Passing | Braxton Woodson | 9/18, 71 yards, INT |
| Rushing | Braxton Woodson | 18 rushes, 104 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Alex Tecza | 3 receptions, 34 yards |
| SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 14/19, 322 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Tyler Lavine | 7 rushes, 49 yards, 3 TD |
| Receiving | Moochie Dixon | 4 receptions, 125 yards, 2 TD | |
SMU defeated Navy 59–14 to win the
Gansz Trophy and guarantee a spot in the conference championship game. SMU scored over 50 points in the first half, and quarterback Preston Stone threw for the most yards in the first quarter of an FBS game since 2019, but he suffered a broken leg late in the first half, leaving him unable to play for the rest of the season.
[19] [20] At No. 22 Tulane (AAC Championship Game)
See also: 2023 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game and 2023 Tulane Green Wave football team.
| Statistics | SMU | TULN |
|---|
| First downs | 21 | 12 |
| Total yards | 396 | 269 |
| Rushing yards | 193 | 31 |
| Passing yards | 203 | 238 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 34:07 | 25:53 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| SMU | Passing | | 19/33, 203 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Jaylan Knighton | 15 rushes, 75 yards, TD |
| Receiving | R. J. Maryland | 5 receptions, 56 yards |
| Tulane | Passing | | 21/36, 238 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | | 11 rushes, 44 yards |
| Receiving | Yulkieth Brown | 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD | |
Backup quarterback Kevin Jennings made his first career start against Tulane in the championship game. On the first play of the game, Jennings fumbled the ball, allowing Tulane to return it to the 1-yard line and score immediately afterwards. Despite this and two interceptions, SMU led Tulane 14–7 at the end of the first half thanks to its strong defense, which forced Tulane to punt the ball nine times over the course of the game. In the second half, Jennings continued to lead SMU down the field, allowing kicker Collin Rogers to score four
field goals. Near the end of the fourth quarter, safety Isaiah Nwokobia intercepted the ball to seal SMU's 26–14 victory over Tulane, winning SMU its first conference championship since 1984.
[21] [22] After the game, Nwokobia was awarded the Most Outstanding Player award, becoming the first defensive player to win such an award in an AAC title game.
[23] Vs. Boston College (Fenway Bowl)
See also: 2023 Fenway Bowl and 2023 Boston College Eagles football team.
| Statistics | SMU | BC |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 20 |
| Total yards | 309 | 364 |
| Rushing yards | 118 | 262 |
| Passing yards | 191 | 102 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:00 | 31:00 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| SMU | Passing | Kevin Jennings | 24/48, 191 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Kevin Jennings | 10 rushes, 51 yards |
| Receiving | Jake Bailey | 6 receptions, 54 yards |
| Boston College | Passing | | 11/18, 102 yards, INT |
| Rushing | Thomas Castellanos | 21 rushes, 156 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Jaeden Skeete | 2 receptions, 40 yards | |
Notes and References
- News: . Stevenson . Stefan . SMU asserts dominance over Tulane, secures first conference championship win in 39 years . December 2, 2023 . December 3, 2023.
- Web site: 2023-12-03 . SMU snubbed from New Year’s Six matchup, will head to Fenway Bowl instead . 2023-12-04 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: December 3, 2023 . AAC Commissioner objects to SMU's exclusion from New Year's Day bowls . 2023-12-04 . wfaa.com . en-US.
- Web site: Hodges . Andy . 2023-12-03 . Committee Wrong Again: SMU on Receiving End This Time . 2023-12-04 . Sports Illustrated Inside the Mustangs News, Analysis and More . en.
- Web site: . Dodd . Dennis . Stanford, Cal, SMU join ACC: Conference membership growing to 18 schools as latest realignment domino falls . September 1, 2023 . September 1, 2023.
- Web site: American Athletic Conference . Tulane is the Favorite in 2023 American Preseason Media Poll . July 25, 2023 . September 1, 2023.
- Web site: 2023 SMU Football Schedule . FBSchedules . 2 March 2023.
- Web site: Stevenson . Stefan . September 2, 2023 . SMU opens Preston Stone era with convincing win over Louisiana Tech a day after ACC invite . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: Hoyt . Joseph . September 14, 2022 . SMU, Oklahoma announce football home-and-home series . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: Stevenson . Stefan . September 10, 2023 . SMU gives Sooners a scare before Oklahoma pulls away in fourth quarter . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: Livengood . Paul . September 23, 2023 . TCU QB Chandler Morris slings 3 TDs in 'Iron Skillet' win over SMU Mustangs . December 4, 2023 . wfaa.com . en-US.
- Web site: October 1, 2023 . Photos: George W. and Laura Bush take part in coin toss before SMU's AAC opener vs. Charlotte . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: McKenna . Greg . October 28, 2023 . SMU blows away Golden Hurricane to become bowl eligible for fifth straight season . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: Stevenson . Stefan . November 9, 2023 . If Preston Stone can’t start vs. UNT, SMU’s confident in South Oak Cliff QB Kevin Jennings . 2023-11-27 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: Thamel . Pete . December 1, 2023 . Rice QB Daniels, citing concussion issues, retires . December 4, 2023 . ESPN.com . en.
- Web site: 2023-11-11 . SMU quarterback Preston Stone clears concussion protocol, will start vs. North Texas . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: SMU 45-21 North Texas (Nov 10, 2023) Game Recap . December 4, 2023 . ESPN . en.
- Web site: Stevenson . Stefan . November 17, 2023 . SMU prediction: Mustangs’ road to AAC championship runs through Memphis . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: Stevenson . Stefan . November 25, 2023 . SMU QB Preston Stone exits vs. Navy after suffering leg injury . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: Stevenson . Stefan . November 28, 2023 . SMU QB Preston Stone out for rest of season with broken left leg . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
- Web site: Martel . Brett . December 3, 2023 . Jennings, dominant defense carry No. 25 SMU to AAC title, 26-14 over Tulane . December 4, 2023 . AP News . en.
- Web site: Londergan . Joe . December 3, 2023 . SMU Upset Tulane In AAC Championship Game . December 4, 2023 . Sports Illustrated G5 Football Daily News, Analysis and More . en.
- Web site: Stevenson . Stefan . December 3, 2023 . SMU asserts dominance over Tulane, secures first conference championship win in 39 years . December 4, 2023 . Dallas News . en.
