In its second year of rebuilding under Chad Morris, SMU provided its coach with his signature victory, showed it could compete with just about any team and almost qualified for a bowl.
Coming off a 2-10 record in 2015, the Mustangs (5-7) managed a three-win improvement despite losing six starters to season-ending injuries, including senior quarterback Matt Davis.
Morris has stocked the shelves with talented Texas players from his first two recruiting classes. Many have already made impacts. His third class will provide the depth needed to hasten the team’s jump to a higher level.
Redshirt quarterback Ben Hicks, who took over for Davis in the first game, developed on the fly.