Sunday, September 9, 2007
Southern Methodist University 45, University of North Texas 31
Photo not provided by Dodge, UNT
The new Dodge: sure, it's fast and flashy, but can it stop anything?
DALLAS — The SMU Mustangs played inspired offense --and just enough defense-- Saturday to defeat their newly-hated rivals UNT, 45-31. In a game where the two teams' offenses put up 76 points and over 1100 yards of total offense, there was plenty for fans of both teams to get excited about.
SMU quarterback Justin Willis went 30-of-43 for 356 yards and two touchdowns, while also scrambling ten times for an additional 81 yards. Overall the Mustangs were able to gain 187 yards on the ground and 356 through the air for a devastatingly balanced attack.
UNT's new coach Todd Dodge may have lost the game, but seems intent on proving his football success on the high school level was no fluke. UNT quarterback Daniel Meager went 46-for-64 for a school record 597 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Mean Green, Meager also threw three interceptions, including one in the final minutes that was returned for the game-clinching score by SMU's Bryce Hudman. With little interest in establishing a running game (UNT gained just 38 yards on the ground on 12 carries), Meager put up huge numbers but was ultimately rendered ineffective by a patient SMU secondary.
SMU is now 1-1, while the loss drops Dodge's Mean Green to 0-2 on the young season.
Posted by Todd M.
