Dallas Morning News · Nov 25, 2018
Why fixing the run game will be the top offseason task for SMU
Fixing the running game will be task No. 1 for SMU during the off-season.
The Mustangs' ground game went into severe decline this season. In 2017, SMU ranked No. 42 at the FBS level with 184.4 yards rushing per game. The Mustangs dropped to No. 122 this season with 115.5 yards rushing per game.
SMU ran for fewer than 100 yards six times and went 1-5 in those games. That included a 27-24 loss at Tulsa on Saturday that kept the Mustangs from becoming bowl eligible.
The top three running backs -- Ke'Mon Freeman, Xavier Jones and Braeden West -- had their combined rushing total drop by nearly 1,000 yards.