SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee faced a formidable challenge when the Mustangs traveled to Penn State for the College Football Playoff. The anticipation was palpable, but the reality of the game unfolded in a way that left the Mustangs with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Game Recap: A Tough Loss
Unfortunately for SMU, their efforts fell short against the Nittany Lions, culminating in a disappointing 38-10 defeat. The Mustangs started with promise, but early turnovers and a lack of scoring in the first half quickly put them in a deep hole. Despite their determination, they were unable to recover from the setbacks.
Lashlee Reflects on the Game
“I’m glad you said that because that’s what’s frustrating,” Lashlee expressed after the game. “People are going to see the scoreboard, that’s it, 38-10, or they’re going to see the halftime score and say things like, ‘well, they shouldn’t have been in. They don’t belong.’ But to your point, it was 14-0. We had two pick-sixes and some other things we just talked about, including the fourth-and-one.”
He emphasized that the final score did not tell the whole story. “We had our opportunities. We don’t have anybody to blame but ourselves. We had our opportunities to make it the game it should have been, which to me was going to be a really good defensive struggle that someone in the low 20s won, and we didn’t do that. We didn’t do that because offensively, not only did we turn the ball over, we turned the ball over and let them get on the scoreboard. I don’t know what the final number is because I haven’t been able to see the stats, but I believe they scored 21 or 24 points off turnovers. That’s a lot.”
Opportunities and Obstacles
Despite the loss, Lashlee remained optimistic about his team’s performance. “Yeah, we got what we expected,” he said. “I don’t think we burned time-outs because of the crowd per se, but I thought 95% of the game we handled the crowd great. The first half, we didn’t have any issues. It was that third quarter when we got down to the end zone where the student section was, and I think we had the ball inside the five two different times. We settled for a field goal on one and missed a field goal on the other.”
It was clear that the atmosphere at Penn State was electric, and while the Mustangs managed to handle it well for most of the game, the pressure mounted in critical moments. “You know, I think when you couple that with the drive in the first half, we had the ball probably inside the 10 or 15 twice, three times, excuse me, and had an interception, a field goal, and a missed field goal. The crowd was definitely a factor there, and you know, it showed.”
The Season in Review
Despite the disappointing end to their playoff run, SMU finished the season with an impressive record of 11-3, securing their place as the ACC runner-up and a participant in the College Football Playoff. This achievement speaks volumes about the growth and potential of the Mustangs under Lashlee’s leadership.
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles on this season, Lashlee and his team will undoubtedly reflect on both the highs and lows. “We can’t — if we just snap the ball and hand it off, we have some good things, but then we go backwards. Now you get to second and third and goal from the 9 or the 11, and those are low percentage plays no matter who you’re playing. I think that’s when it affected us the most, was that third quarter going into the end zone where the student section was, and that’s what college football’s all about. We got to handle that better.”
With the lessons learned from this season, the Mustangs will look to bounce back stronger next year. The experience gained from competing at this level will be invaluable as they prepare for future challenges. Fans can expect a renewed focus and determination as SMU aims to build on their success and strive for greater heights in the coming seasons.
