Opening Statement: Obviously, kind of an unusual situation in terms of timing. We’ve already spoke a few times in different press conferences, whether it was bowl press conference or whatever it may be.
Getting in, specifically, to SMU. Rhett Lashlee has done a really, really good job. You look at his background as an offensive coordinator and what he’s been able to do in a short period of time at SMU is cool.
I think I may have mentioned to you this before, when I was at Vanderbilt, we went and visited a bunch of different places about a possible stadium expansion. One of the places we went to was SMU, which was cool for me to visit it and see their facilities, get a feel for the town, the history and traditions.
So to see what Rhett’s been able to do there has been really cool for me. And also, I think it’s good for college football, a place like SMU with a lot of history and traditions and to see them in the playoffs.
The way they’re constructed is a little bit different than the way we’re constructed. I think they have 48 players from the transfer portal. We have nine. As you guys know, we’re pro-transfer portal. We’ve just not had a whole lot of guys go into the transfer portal and have only taken about four to six a year. So different.
Obviously, when you’re taking over a program now in college football, it’s a very different build in terms of how you build your roster and sometimes how you have to build your roster. But he’s done a really good job.
If you look at their offensive coordinator, Casey Woods, and obviously Rhett’s heavily involved with the offense, things that jump out, they’re No. 2 in the ACC number and No. 6 in the country in points for game at just under 39 points per game.
Guys that jump out here are quarterback Kevin Jennings. They go as he goes. He’s an explosive athlete, can make all the throws, but also can pull it down and run, can really run. Their running back Brashard Smith, a transfer from Miami, doing a nice job for them, not only rushing but receiving and also as a returner. And No. 13, Roderick Daniels, a local kid for them. Those are guys that jump out for us.
Defensively ,Scott Symons, doing a really nice job. Again, statistically, they’re up there with some of the best teams we’ve played this year. Scoring defense, they ranked first in the ACC and 28th in the country. Rushing defense, they ranked first in the ACC and fourth in the country, that’s a stat that really jumps…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Penn State – Official Athletics Website…