NORTH TEXAS at SMU
Saturday, Sept. 9 • 3:30 p.m. • ESPN3
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (32,000/FieldTurf)
Dallas, Texas
Television
ESPN3
Dave Raymond and Stanford Routt
Radio
KTCK-FM 96.7 (SMU flagship)
THE GAME
Saturday’s game will be the 37th meeting between SMU and North Texas in a series that dates to 1922 … The Mustangs hold a 30-5-1 series lead and have won the last two matchups … SMU was a 34-21 winner in Denton last year behind a 162-yard, three-touchdown effort from WR Courtland Sutton.
NORTH TEXAS
1-0, 0-0 Conference USA
Head Coach
Seth Littrell (Oklahoma ’01)
6-8, second season
Notes
North Texas won its season-opener for the first time since 2013 as the Mean Green cruised to a 59-14 victory against Lamar last Saturday … North Texas went 5-7 in the regular season in 2016, but were selected to the Heart of Dallas Bowl thanks to their academic standing … Head coach Seth Littrell took over a team that was 1-11 in 2015 … The Mean Green fell 38-31 to Army in the bowl game after defeating the Black Knights in the regular season … North Texas had a 31-15 advantage in first downs and a 668-266 advantage in total offense … RB Jeffery Wilson led the Mean Green offense with 176 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries … QB Mason Fine completed 15 of 21 passes for 224 yards and three TDs … The 668 yards of offense set a school record, topping the previous high of 635 set against Navy in 2007.
SMU
1-0, 0-0 American
Head Coach
Chad Morris (Texas A&M ’92)
8-17, third season
Notes
SMU raced to a 35-0 second-quarter lead against Stephen F. Austin and ended up with a 58-14 victory Saturday in Dallas … The Mustangs are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2009 … Big plays were the story against Stephen F. Austin as SMU scored touchdowns on an 85-yard interception return, a fumble recovery in the end zone and a 72-yard pass play, among others … S Jordan Wyatt became the sixth player in NCAA FBS history to score touchdowns on an interception return and a fumble recovery … QB Ben Hicks is expected to remain the starter after he threw for 112 yards and two touchdowns against the Lumberjacks … QB D.J. Gillins rushed for two TDs, while QB Rafe Peavey had a late TD pass … WR Courtland Sutton, a preseason Maxwel Award candidate, had two catches for 22 yards and a TD.