During practices leading up to last week's game against nationally ranked Houston, quarterback Ben Hicks realized SMU would be without two stabilizing senior offensive linemen -- Nick Natour and Chad Pursley -- because of injuries.
It was not a comforting feeling.
"I was like "Wow ... we're going to have to find a way to make it work,' "said Hicks, who had never played at SMU without either Natour or Pursley in the lineup.
They did.
One item that emerged from the 45-31 win against Houston was the emergence of what could be a powerful offensive line.