SMU's Glory Days Rekindled: Pony Express Rides Again

Photo by Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

In a dramatic transformation, the No. 11 SMU Mustangs (11-2, 8-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) stampeded back into the realm of college football relevance, revitalizing a long-dormant program by corralling most of their 2024 opponents. Their supporters cheer for them to "pony up," and the team from Dallas has done so. The '24 Mustangs have ascended to heights not attained since the legendary "Pony Express" team of the 1980s.

Pony Express 1.0

Led by All-American running backs Eric Dickerson and Craig James, the SMU Mustangs of the early 1980s dominated the now-defunct Southwestern Conference—a league formerly laden with blue blood programs including the Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies and Arkansas Razorbacks. The 1982 Mustangs finished the season 11-0-1, ranked No. 2 in the final AP poll. With Dickerson rushing for 1,617 yards and 17 touchdowns and James carrying for 938 yards and 4 TDs plus 208 receiving yards and 3 more TDs, the duo was popularly dubbed the "Pony Express."

After the prolific pair departed to the NFL and further glory, the Mustangs football program endured decades in the wilderness in the wake of receiving the NCAA death penalty in 1987. However, the program that also produced legendary Hall of Fame RB Doak Walker has finally turned the corner, and two of its most enthusiastic supporters are Dickerson and James.

Pony Express 2.0

The 2024 Mustangs are exceptionally well-coached by Rhett Lashlee, who has led SMU to a 29-11 record in three seasons, including back-to-back 11-win campaigns. Named ACC coach of the year in the Ponies' inaugural season in the conference Southern Methodist rewarded their head man with a contract extension, the terms of which were not disclosed, as SMU is a private university.

Lashlee has assembled a talented roster, comprised of numerous players honored by All-America and All-ACC recognition.

Brashard Smith was named a third-team Associated Press All-American as an all-purpose offensive player. A senior, Smith transferred to SMU from No. 13 Miami (10-2, 6-2), where he mostly played wide receiver. For the Mustangs, however, the standout performer mainly lines up as a running back. He has rushed for 1,270 yards and 14 TDs and added 303 receiving yards and 4 more TDs. His rushing yardage total is No. 17 in the FBS.

Additionally, Smith and two SMU defenders—safety Isaiah Nwokobia and defensive tackle Jared Harrison-Hunte—were named first-team All-ACC. Nwokobia patrols the secondary and assists in run support. He is second on the team with 96 tackles and has 3 interceptions and 3 pass breakups. A force in the middle at 6-foot-4 and 294 pounds, Harrison-Hunte has 6 sacks, 4 quarterback hits and 1 INT.

Placekicker Collin Rogers also earned All-American honors for the Mustangs, making 75.19 percent of his field goal attempts, 21 of which were kicked from distances beyond 40 yards.

All around, the SMU offense has been explosive, averaging 38.54 points per game, while the stout defense has limited opponents to an average of only 20.85 PPG.

The Mustangs' only two losses on the season were at the hands of ranked teams, the No. 16 Clemson Tigers (10-3, 7-1) and the No. 17 BYU Cougars (10-2, 7-2 Big 12 Conference), and both of those losses were only by 3-point margins.

Amongst Power Four teams, only the Mustangs and the No. 1 Oregon Ducks (13-0, 9-0 Big Ten Conference) went undefeated in 2024 regular season conference play.

A pivotal moment in SMU's season occurred in Week 3 when Lashlee replaced QB Preston Stone with Kevin Jennings who led SMU to nine consecutive victories after assuming the QB1 role.

The team's success in 2024 has been well-received, with a dramatic increase in attendance at home games and commitments from highly-regarded prep players.

Headlined by seven four-star signees, SMU's 2025 recruiting class is rated No. 29 in the nation by Rivals. Furthermore, Lashlee and his staff are attracting a great deal of interest in the Transfer Portal and recently received a commitment from cornerback Chasen Johnson, who is transferring from UCF (4-8, 2-7 B1G) and chose SMU over USC (6-6, 4-5 B1G).

The new iteration of the Pony Express has been rewarded for its terrific season with a CFP berth. On Dec. 21, SMU will take on the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2, 8-1 B1G) in Happy Valley.