SFA @ SMU

Scouting Report for Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks(1-0) vs. SMU Mustangs (0-1)
September 8, 2012- Gerald Ford Stadium, University Park,TX

SFA: Last week the Lumberjacks faced the Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs. Who are they? The Bulldogs are Division II school based in the Great American Conference all the way from Weatherford, OK (69 miles west of Oklahoma City). And here's another fact about Southwestern Oklahoma... they lost 49-14 to these Lumberjacks.

SFA just completely dominated Southwestern Oklahoma from the get go. They finished the game scoring 6 touchdowns (4 passing and 2 rushing). QB Brady Attaway went 21-37 354 YDS 3 TD in the air and RB Gus Johnson was the leading rusher with 107 YDS, 2 TD on 10 carries. Cordell Roberson was the leading receiver with 100 YDS and a touchdown on 8 catches.

SMU: There is nobody in Waco happier than Baylor DC Phil Bennett was on September 2nd. First, SMU fired him as head coach in 2007 (hired in 2002). Then, he was the interim coach at Pitt when they lost 28-6 at the BBVA Compass Bowl. So you can imagine that blowing out the Ponies 59-24 was a very sweet feeling.

To say that the Mustangs were overmatched is an understatement. QB Garrett Gilbert (34-59, 286 YDS, 2 TD and 2 INT) was not very consistent from the start. WR Darrius Johnson had a miserable game as well. Johnson had juggled a pass on the Mustangs 1st red zone possesion which led to Eddie Lackey 23 yard INT return. And in the second half, Johnson fumbled after making a catch which resulted in a Mike Hicks 66 YD return for a score. The offense did it's best when RB Zach Line had the ball. He had 135 YDS on 25 carries. The defense just couldn't match Baylor's uptempo style.

What to watch for: If Gilbert can find his niche in this game, then the Mustangs should easily win this game. Also they need to pound the ball with Line early and often to make a statement.

While SFA may seem to be easy, the Lumberjacks should not be underestimated. Southland Conference rival McNeese State beat Middle Tennessee last week 27-21. And with SFA expected to finish 2nd in the conference, the Lumberjacks are going to look to give the Mustangs defense fits all day long.

Conclusion: If Stephen F. Austin is going to win this game, they need to take two things in consideration. The first is that they shouldn't let off the gas pedal. The Lumberjacks did give up 14 points in the final moments. While they can get away with it against Southwestern Oklahoma, SMU is a higher level opponent. And the second, cut down the penalties. Being penalized 12 times for 111 yards against SMU will make this game a blowout.

SMU will need to have poise as well to stay in this game. While the referees missed 3 facemask penalties on the Bears, that is no excuse for losing. Hopefully they will not have their defense start their series they way they did last week (4 penalties on the opening drive).

Prediction: SMU by 26.

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