Southern Methodist Mustangs NCAA Football News

Originally published November 12, 2009 at 3:51 p.m., updated November 12, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. DALLAS a ' June Jones does not bring up SMU's dreadful history to his players.

June Jones has a history of rebuilding college football programs. Back in 1999, no one paid attention to The University of Hawaii.

Athletic director Steve Orsini, clad in his standard red blazer, slapped backs and hugged with zeal.

Shawnbrey McNeal rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns to lift SMU to a 31-28 win over Rice Saturday afternoon.

Sure, SMU is buzzing about potential bowls, its first-place tie with Houston in Conference USA's West division and freshman quarterback Kyle Padron.

The mustangs made their bow during halftime of SMU-Navy on October 17. a A couple of weeks back, during halftime of the SMU-Navy game at Ford Stadium, the university debuted two new mustangs donated by the National Wild Horse Foundation, on behalf of Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens.

SMU's Emmanuel Sanders hopes to celebrate at least three wins in the team's final four games.

The Mustangs canceled their scheduled morning practice Thursday because of predicted storms and then bused out to use Rockwall ISD's indoor facility in the afternoon.

Freshman quarterback Kyle Padron made his first start a memorable one, turning two broken plays into scoring passes in leading Southern Methodist to a 27-13 victory over Tulsa on Saturday.

Tulsa has been a power in Conference USA since joining the league in 2005, playing for three league championships in four seasons.

Scouting the Mustangs: Tulsa is preparing for three quarterbacks for Saturday's 1 p.m. homecoming contest against SMU.

Line: Tulsa by 15 1/2. Series Record: SMU leads 10-6. Last meeting: 2008, Tulsa 37-31. SMU and Tulsa enter the game part of a four-way tie atop the Conference USA West standings.

Senior, wide receiver SMU's career receiving leader with 246 catches, 3,080 yards and 29 touchdowns.

As a prep standout at Wylie during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Cameron Rogers viewed University of Houston quarterback Case Keenum as a role model.

No. 17 Houston didn't need its relentless, no-huddle offense led by Heisman contender Case Keenum at its best in a 38-15 win, because for the Mustangs, everything that could go utterly wrong, did.

When No. 17 Houston takes the field Saturday night against SMU, it will have been almost a month since the Cougars last played at home.

As the Mustangs prepare for No. 17 Houston's top-ranked offense, last week's work on Navy's triple-option is a distant memory.

The 17th-ranked Houston Cougars are set to play their first home game in nearly a month, as they square off against the SMU Mustangs in Conference USA action this weekend at Robertson Stadium.

SMU freshman linebacker Ja'Gared Davis practically had the interception in his hands, a clear field in front of him.

For the first couple of games of SMU's season, defensive end Margus Hunt grew frustrated with spending too much time on the sidelines, towering over the other Mustangs with his 6-8, 267-pound, gladiator-like frame, watching.