2020 SMU Mustangs football team

The 2020 SMU Mustangs football team will represent Southern Methodist University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mustangs will be led by third year coach Sonny Dykes and play their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas, a separate city within the city limits of Dallas, as they compete as members of the American Athletic Conference.[1]

2020 SMU Mustangs football
Conference	American Athletic Conference
2020 record	0–0 (0–0 AAC)
Head coach	Sonny Dykes (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Garrett Riley (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Kevin Kane (3rd season)
Base defense	Multiple
Home stadium	Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Capacity: 32,000)

2020 American Athletic Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Cincinnati		0	–	0					0	–	0
East Carolina		0	–	0					0	–	0
Houston		0	–	0					0	–	0
Memphis		0	–	0					0	–	0
Navy		0	–	0					0	–	0
SMU		0	–	0					0	–	0
South Florida		0	–	0					0	–	0
Temple		0	–	0					0	–	0
Tulane		0	–	0					0	–	0
Tulsa		0	–	0					0	–	0
UCF		0	–	0					0	–	0
Championship: December 5, 2020
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant As of August 16, 2020; Rankings from AP Poll.

Previous Season

The Mustangs finished the 2019 season 10–3, 6–2 in The American play to finish in third place in the West Division. The Mustangs competed in the postseason bowl season, ultimately losing to FAU in the Boca Raton Bowl 28-52.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award	Player	Position	Year

References:

AAC media poll

The AAC Media days will take place in July 2020 the poll will be released later that month.

Predicted finish	Team	Votes
	Cincinnati
	East Carolina
	Houston
	Memphis
	Navy
	SMU
	South Florida
	Temple
	Tulane
	Tulsa
	UCF

Preseason All-AAC Team

The AAC Media days will take place in July 2020 the team will be released later that month.

Recruiting class

References: [2] [3]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40^‡	Commit date
Junior Aho Defensive Lineman	Nice, France	New Mexico Military Institute	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Will Benton Long Snapper/Linebacker	Atlanta, GA	The Westminster School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Marcus Bryant Offensive Lineman	Round Rock, TX	Cedar Ridge HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Dylan Cordell Offensive Lineman	Houston, TX	Second Baptist HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Ty DeArman Safety	Arlington, TX	Bowie HS Oklahoma	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Danny Gray Wide Receiver	Dallas, TX	James Madison HS Blinn College	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Branson Hickman Offensive Lineman	McKinney, TX	Jesuit College Prep	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Thaddaeus "Thad" Johnson Wide Receiver	Beaumont, TX	West Brook HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Demetri Jordan Offensive Lineman	Lubbock, TX	Coronado HS Tyler JC	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	330 lb (150 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
DeVere Levelston Defensive Tackle	DeSoto, TX	DeSoto HS Tyler JC	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Bryan Massey Cornerback/Safety	Katy, TX	Katy HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Mason Mastrov Defensive End	Lafayette, CA	Campolindo HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Henry Mossberg Offensive Lineman	Southlake, TX	Southlake Carroll HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Dalton Perdue Offensive Lineman	El Dorado, AR	El Dorado HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	315 lb (143 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
John Luke Roberts Tight End/Long Snapper	Austin, TX	Austin Regents HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Erin Smith Offensive Lineman	Little Rock, AR	North Little Rock HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Marcus Smith Offensive Lineman	Stafford, TX	Stafford HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	315 lb (143 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Ben Sparks Offensive Lineman	Norman, OK	Norman HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Parker Stone Wide Receiver	Dallas, TX	Parish Episcopal School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Trent Strong Linebacker	Tucson, AZ	Salpointe Catholic HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Karl Taylor Safety	Midland, TX	Midland Lee HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	-	Dec 18, 2019
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Warren Wells Defensive End	Dallas, TX	Bishop Lynch HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	-	Feb 5, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:

Schedule

SMU's 2020 regular season schedule will begin on September 5 and will end on November 28, 2020.[1]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance
September 5		at Texas State*	Bobcat Stadium San Marcos, TX
September 12		at TCU*	Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX
September 19		at North Texas*	Apogee Stadium Denton, TX (Safeway Bowl)
September 26		Stephen F. Austin*	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX
October 1		Memphis	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX
October 17		at Tulane	Yulman Stadium New Orleans, LA
October 24		Cincinnati	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX
October 31		Navy	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX (Gansz Trophy)
November 5		at Temple	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA
November 14		at Tulsa	H. A. Chapman Stadium Tulsa, OK
November 21		Houston	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX (rivalry)
November 28		at East Carolina	Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings (after November 3) released prior to game All times are in Central time

Roster

2020 SMU Mustangs football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 4 Tyler Page Sr WR 6 Austin Upshaw Jr QB 7 Shane Buechele Sr WR 8 Reggie Roberson Jr. Sr QB 9 William Brown So QB 10 Terrance Gipson  Fr WR 11 Rashee Rice So QB 12 Derek Green So WR 13 Judah Bell Jr WR 15 Calvin Wiggins  Fr WR 16 Keke Burns  Fr QB 18 Jacob Oehrlein So RB 20 Cameron Rosenberger  Fr RB 21 Tamerik Williams So RB 25 TJ McDaniel So RB 26 Ulysses Bentley IV  Fr RB 30 Tyler Lavine So TE, FB 40 Kade Ashley So WR 41 Chad Dines So WR 42 Beau Barker  Fr TE 44 Kedrick James Jr WR 45 Ben Palmer  Fr WR 47 Devin Aglubat Fr WR 47 Walker French Jr WR 48 Devan Reck–Irvin  Fr OL 57 Cobe Bryant Sr OL 59 Tai Brooks  Fr OL 60 Henry Mossberg Fr OL 64 Cameron Ervin  Fr OL 65 Thomas Shelmire Fr OL 66 Sam Burns  Fr OL 70 Kadarius Smith Sr OL 71 Jaylon Thomas Jr OL 72 Demetri Jordan Jr OL 75 Hayden Howerton Sr OL 77 Alan Ali Jr OL 78 Beau Morris Sr OL 79 Danielson Ike  Fr TE 81 Ben Redding Jr WR 82 Parker Stone Fr TE 83 Kylen Granson Sr WR 84 Matt Dorrity Jr WR 85 Keith Jones So TE 86 Tommy McIntyre Sr TE 88 Carson Welch Fr WR 89 Peyton Hudson Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 1 Eric Sutton Sr DB 2 Cam Jones So LB 3 Delano Robinson Sr CB 5 Ar'Mani Johnson Jr CB 6 Sam Westfall Jr LB 9 Shaine Hailey Sr S 10 Ty Dearman Fr CB 11 Chevin Calloway Jr CB 12 Kevin Johnson Sr S 13 Roderick Roberson Jr.  Fr LB 14 Richard Moore Sr S 15 Frankie Avantino So S 16 Trevor Denbow Sr S 18 Chace Cromartie So S 20 Athan Natsues So S 21 Donald Clay  Fr DB 22 Karl Taylor Fr LB 24 Jimmy Phillips Jr. Jr DB 26 Brandon Stephens Sr S 27 Michael Salerno Jr CB 28 Christian Davis Sr CB 29 Justin Guy–Robinson Jr LB 30 Kyle Blaskovich Jr LB 31 Armando Fitz Jr LB 32 JC Rispress Jr LB 35 John Porter So CB 36 Terry Keys III So DE 38 Toby Ndukwe Jr DT 39 Darren Brown So LB 41 Preston Ellison Jr S 42 Ra–Sun Kazadi So LB 43 Brian Holloway Jr DT 44 Harrison Loveless Jr LB 45 Luke Evans  Fr DE 46 Garnett March II  Fr S 47 Hunter Ballard  Fr S 48 Evan Gray  Fr CB 49 Marcus Nesby  Fr LB 50 Richard McBryde Sr DE 51 Warren Walls Fr LB 52 Deuce Palmer  Fr LB 53 Garrett Madison  Fr DE 54 Gerrit Choate Sr DE 55 Gary Wiley Jr LB 56 Broc Watkins Sr LB 57 Ben Frugal  Fr LB 59 Will Goldberg  Fr LB 60 Reid Stacy  Fr DE 61 Jack Young  Fr LB 63 Eli Frugal  Fr LB 67 Nick Lerew So DL 89 Alex Sickafoose  Fr DE 90 Nelson Paul So DT 91 Terrance Newman Jr DT 92 Shabazz Dotson So DT 93 Elijah Chatman So DE 94 Mason Mastrov Fr DT 95 Will Jones Sr DT 96 Devere Levelston So DE 97 Turner Coxe Jr DT 98 Jacob Pugh Sr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 32 Jack Hansing Sr K 44 Charles Cannon Jr LS 49 Cole Voyles So K 94 Wills Thompson III  Fr P 95 Nick Lang  Fr K 96 Austin Dennis  Fr K, P 97 Russell Roberts So P 99 Warren Scott So	Head coach Sonny Dykes (Texas Tech) Coordinators/assistant coaches Kevin Kane (Kansas) Defensive Coordinator/LB Garrett Riley (Texas Tech) Offensive Coordinator/QB A.J Ricker (Missouri) Co-Offensive Coordinator/OL Chris Brasfield (TCU) Special Teams Coordinator Josh Martin (Tarleton State) Tight Ends Kevin Curtis (Texas Tech) Cornerbacks David Gru (California) Wide Receivers Trey Haverty (TCU) Safeties Randall Joyner (SMU) Defensive Line Ra'Shaad Samples (Houston) Assistant Coach Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: June 27, 2020

Game summaries

Statistics	SMU	Texas State
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

at Texas State

See also: 2020 Texas State Bobcats football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
2–0	2019	SMU, 47–17

Pregame line	Over/under

Southern Methodist at Texas State – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Mustangs			0
Bobcats			0

at Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX

• Date: August 29
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SMU – TXST – Top rushers SMU – TXST – Top receivers SMU – TXST –

Statistics	TCU	SMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

at TCU

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
41–51–7	2019	SMU, 41–38

Pregame line	Over/under

Southern Methodist at Texas Christian – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Horned Frogs			0
Mustangs			0

at Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX

• Date: September 26
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TCU – SMU – Top rushers TCU – SMU – Top receivers TCU – SMU –

Statistics	SMU	North Texas
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

at North Texas

See also: 2020 North Texas Mean Green football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
32–6–1	2019	SMU, 49–27

Pregame line	Over/under

Southern Methodist at North Texas – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Mustangs			0
Mean Green			0

at Apogee Stadium, Denton, TX

• Date: September 19
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SMU – UNT – Top rushers SMU – UNT – Top receivers SMU – UNT –

Statistics	Stephen F. Austin	SMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Stephen F. Austin

See also: 2020 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
3–0	2017	SMU, 58–14

Pregame line	Over/under

Stephen F. Austin at Southern Methodist – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Lumberjacks			0
Mustangs			0

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

• Date: September 12
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SFA – SMU – Top rushers SFA – SMU – Top receivers SFA – SMU –

Statistics	Memphis	SMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Memphis

See also: 2020 Memphis Tigers football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
3–9	2019	MEM, 48–54

Pregame line	Over/under

Memphis at Southern Methodist – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Tigers			0
Mustangs			0

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

• Date: October 1
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV: ESPN

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers MEM – SMU – Top rushers MEM – SMU – Top receivers MEM – SMU –

Statistics	SMU	Tulane
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

at Tulane

See also: 2020 Tulane Green Wave football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
13–13	2019	SMU, 37–20

Pregame line	Over/under

Southern Methodist at Tulane – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Mustangs			0
Green Wave			0

at Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA

• Date: October 17
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SMU – TULN – Top rushers SMU – TULN – Top receivers SMU – TULN –

Statistics	Cincinnati	SMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Cincinnati

See also: 2020 Cincinnati Bearcats football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
1–3	2018	CIN, 20–26

Pregame line	Over/under

Cincinnati at Southern Methodist – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Bearcats			0
Mustangs			0

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

• Date: October 24
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CIN – SMU – Top rushers CIN – SMU – Top receivers CIN – SMU –

Statistics	Navy	SMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Navy

See also: 2020 Navy Midshipmen football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
8–13	2019	SMU, 35–28

Pregame line	Over/under

Navy at Southern Methodist – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Midshipmen			0
Mustangs			0

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

• Date: October 31
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers NAVY – SMU – Top rushers NAVY – SMU – Top receivers NAVY – SMU –

Statistics	SMU	Temple
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

at Temple

See also: 2020 Temple Owls football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
2–2–2	2019	SMU, 45–21

Pregame line	Over/under

Southern Methodist at Temple – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Mustangs			0
Owls			0

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

• Date: November 5
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV: ESPN

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SMU – TEM – Top rushers SMU – TEM – Top receivers SMU – TEM –

Statistics	SMU	Tulsa
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

at Tulsa

See also: 2020 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
15–11	2019	SMU, 43–37

Pregame line	Over/under

Southern Methodist at Tulsa – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Mustangs			0
Golden Hurricane			0

at Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, OK

• Date: November 14
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SMU – TUL – Top rushers SMU – TUL – Top receivers SMU – TUL –

Statistics	Houston	SMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Houston

See also: 2020 Houston Cougars football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
13–21–1	2019	SMU, 34–31

Pregame line	Over/under

Houston at Southern Methodist – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Cougars			0
Mustangs			0

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

• Date: November 21
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers HOU – SMU – Top rushers HOU – SMU – Top receivers HOU – SMU –

Statistics	SMU	East Carolina
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

at East Carolina

See also: 2020 East Carolina Pirates football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
4–4	2019	SMU, 59–51

Pregame line	Over/under

Southern Methodist at East Carolina – Game summary

	1	2	Total
Mustangs			0
Pirates			0

at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC

• Date: November 28
• Game time: TBD CDT
• Game weather: ;
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV:  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SMU – ECU – Top rushers SMU – ECU – Top receivers SMU – ECU –

Rankings

Further information: 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP
Coaches	RV
CFP	Not released															Not released

References

1. "2020 SMU Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
2. "SMU Football: Signing Day Central". SMU Athletics. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
3. "SMU Football: Signing Day 2020". SMU Athletics. Retrieved 27 June 2020.