Prolific SMU Offense Looks to Break Out in ACC

© Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee and star quarterback Preston Stone spoke to the media at the Atlantic Coast Conference Media Days on July 22 in Charlotte, N.C. Lashlee and Stone represented a Mustangs program that is seeking to emerge from decades in purgatory, following the NCAA's imposition of the death penalty on the SMU football team back in the 1980s.

SMU's Prolific Offense

Stone boldly told the ACC Network that he considers the Mustangs' wide receiver room the best in the conference.

Stone is a Dallas native who had a remarkable high school career as a dual-threat QB, throwing for a jaw-dropping 13,178 yards and 148 touchdowns, along with 2,172 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns. As a consensus four-star recruit in the 2021 class, Stone received offers from Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC and others before committing to his hometown Mustangs.

He was one of the best QBs in the country last year. In leading the Mustangs to the championship of the American Athletic Conference , Stone threw for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns, with only 6 interceptions. He also had 4 rushing touchdowns. His passer efficiency rating of 161.3 was one of the top marks in the nation.

Stone broke his leg in the Mustangs' regular-season finale against Navy and consequently missed the AAC championship game and the team's bowl game. However, he is now on the mend.

Kevin Jennings stepped up and filled in admirably for Stone.

Top-Flight Receivers

SMU had five receivers who racked up more than 400 receiving yards each in 2023—Jake Bailey, RJ Maryland, Jordan Hudson, Romello Brinson and Kelvontay Dixon. A sixth, Key'Shawn Smith, almost reached the 400-yard club, falling just short with 392 receiving yards. Maryland and Hudson were Stone's favorite targets. They both had 7 touchdown receptions.

Although Maryland and Dixon are gone, the other four are back for the 2024 campaign. Hudson is a junior, Brinson and Smith are seniors and Bailey is a graduate student.

Thus, the Ponies look to flash the talent of their deep group of receivers in their inaugural ACC season. If they click with Stone, the Mustangs might make some noise in their new conference.

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