SMU ground game suffers from injuries to two front-line backs

The decline of the rushing game remains a matter of concern for SMU.

The downturn continued with only 83 yards on 39 tries during a 48-20 loss at No. 12 Central Florida on Saturday. SMU needed to run the ball often and well to keep it away from the Knights' high-powered offense.

"The thing we needed to do was run the ball,'' coach Sonny Dykes said after the loss. "We've got to do a better job of running the ball than we did tonight.

"We didn't run it particularly well and had to throw it, and we struggled to throw it. We've got to get better at making routine plays."

The Mustangs, in a bye week, are tied with South Alabama for 110th out of 129 FBS schools with 121.7 yards rushing per game. SMU…