Everything Rhett Lashlee said before SMU-TCU faced off for Battle for the Iron Skillet

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee spoke with the media on Tuesday to preview the Battle for the Iron Skillet as the Mustangs take on the TCU Horned Frogs. Here’s what he had to say ahead of the game.

Opening statement: “We’re excited to get back to work, get to play a game this week after a week off. Felt like we had a good off week and felt like (Tuesday) we’ve started off on the right foot. We’re looking forward to being back in our home stadium in front of our fans. I think it’s already a sellout and our students have already broken the record for most tickets sold to a game, and they’ve been phenomenal the first two games, as well. So just excited to be back home from our home crowd.”

On the SMU-TCU rivalry: “Yeah. “I mean, it’s been played over 100 times and so it’s important to a lot of people. I think when you look at rivalries around the country, this one’s pretty unique when both schools are separated by 30-40 miles in the same greater Metroplex area. There’s a lot of rivalries that are not even in the same state, much less the same city. So I think it’s unique from that standpoint. Like I said, anything’s been done over 100 times is important to a lot of people. Rivalry games are a big deal. Been blessed to coach in a lot of different versions, whether it be the Iron Bowl, Florida State-Miami and so on and so forth. But when it kicks off, it’s another game and fortunately for us, it’s our fourth game. It’s an opportunity for us go and play good football.”

Takeaways from TCU-UCF: “I mean, I think it confirmed what we thought we knew, is that they’re really talented football team. They had a commanding lead for three quarters of the game and kind of let it get away late. But I bet you if they play that game 20 times the way it unfolded through three quarters, they’re going to win 19 of those 20. I know they’re probably feeling like they let one get away. But I think offensively they looked really good. The quarterback, Hoover, is a great player. He’s local. I remember him when I was down at Miami when he was coming out of high school. Really talented player. He’s accurate, he gets the ball out, doesn’t hold it and take sacks, doesn’t turn it over and he’s got some really good weapons to get it to. I think Bech and Richardson are as good of two football players is we’re going to play all year. They’re just, they’re really good at everything in the game. And then, of course, they got big Savion and then we know they’ve got a good stable of running backs. They’re really, really explosive, really good on offense. And what they don’t do is they don’t beat themselves. They’re efficient. I know last year that was the thing for them, they’ve cleaned that up. Then I think defensively, with the change, they want to be aggressive. They blitz 50% or more of the time. I think they’ve got a great linebacking core. I think they’ve got really good edge players. I think Bud Clark’s been there forever, he’s a really good safety. They’ve got some transfer corners. So I see a really athletic, fast, aggressive, confident team. So credit to what UCF was able to get the win late. But they’re a good football team playing really good football and just kind of let one get away, I think.”

On if the bye week helps change how SMU’s approaching it coming in: “You know, I don’t know. That’s a good question. It’s fair question. I don’t have a clue. I think if we play well, it helped. If we don’t play well, it didn’t help. You know what I mean? I think it’s unique to have a bye week that early in the season. But we did start a week early, so we’ve actually still played three games. We’re eager to play. We’re going to go out compete and try to play our best game of the year.”

On any SMU injuries: “Jaylan Knighton got hurt on the last drive of the last game and he will be out. So, we’re getting a little bit thin at running back. I think everybody else should be available on offense. And I think everybody else should be available on defense. I think that’s the only one. If I’m missing one, I’m not doing it on purpose.”

On if Derrick McFall will have a bigger role: “”I mean, you’ve got Brashard and LJ. LJ was banged up, so he didn’t play as much against BYU, but the week off did help him. So I think you’ve got Brashard and LJ. I think you’ve got McFall, who, for a freshman, the game is not too fast or too big for him. Obviously, I know against Houston Christian, he showed what he can do running the football, but he’s a smart kid. He cares, so he’s been preparing like he’s going to play. And then, of course, you know Roderick Daniels plays every position on offense for us, just about, so we’ve still got four quality options, I think, at running back.”

On if there’s added weight to this week’s SMU-TCU game with it being power conference matchup: “No, I don’t feel any added weight. Every week you feel the pressure of college football and the margin between winning and losing is small and the feeling difference between winning and losing is great on the back end. It’s a great, great rivalry, been played for over 100 years, like we said a minute ago, and it’s unique to have two teams as close together in a rivalry, that’s rare. The fact that we’re only going to play it two more times, that was their decision, not worried about that. We’re worried about trying to play good football and get a win. And that’s just the truth. That’s the truth. It’s a big game because it’s the next game and it’s important to our fan base, it’s important to our players, just like it is to their fan base and their players. And that’s what makes college football great. I’m sure one day it’ll come back, just like Texas at Texas A&M has and all that. But we’re going to be in the present and right now we’re playing them, so we want to play well.”

If he would continue SMU-TCU rivalry: “Yeah. I mean, absolutely we’d play them. I mean, we’ll play anybody, anywhere, anytime. There’s great rivalries, I think us in Houston’s a good one that, just when you both schools change conference sometimes it’s hard to keep those things, especially when it was a conference game. This situation is different because it was a non-conference game, so it could have been renewed as long as you want. I think down the road, your non-conference schedules get scheduled out 5, 6, 7 years in advance, so sometimes it’s hard to sync back up. But a game like that would be great. This game would be great. Makes too much sense. We’re in a national conference and so we’re going to play our conference all over the place. It doesn’t hurt to play regional games in the non-conference. We’re going to play Baylor the next year. So, we’re open to playing anybody.”

On if there’s a blueprint from past years to beat TCU: “Yeah, I know when we beat them in ’19, we had a good balance that game. Obviously, I think the 21 game is the one you’re referring to, SMU had a great, great day on the ground. I mean, at the end of the day, those teams and those schemes are all different. Yeah. I mean, look, I think it was said after the game there, what UCF does, they’re one of the top rushing offenses. They were the top rushing offense in the country going to the game because they have four really good backs and a quarterback who’s a runner. So, yeah, I mean, you see that happen, but at the same time, we’re different, you know? So, we’re going to do what we can and what we think gives us the best chance to move the ball against the defense. I think it’s definitely probably the best one we played so far and probably going to be one of the better ones we play this year.”

On what he saw from SMU QB Kevin Jennings: “Yeah, I think it was good for our team just to have consistency and a chance to start to grow and build our identity moving forward. I thought both guys have handled it great, like the great team guys they are and like captains. I think he’s been comfortable. He’s been eager and urgent and, honestly, hadn’t changed a whole lot because he was already practicing well and playing like he was going to play. But, yeah, I thought last week was good for him. You know what we did, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and today, going into Tuesday, first true game week and game planning. But it’s not the first time he’s been the starter going into a game. So it’s not like there’s a lot of new, so that’s good.

“I just want to see him go out and just make good decisions and be Kevin and trust the guys around him. He doesn’t have to be Superman. He’s talented. He’ll make some plays, but every play doesn’t have to be a touchdown. Just go out, take what they’re giving us, play good football, get it to your teammates. I mean, especially in what we do, the quarterback’s like a point guard with four really good scorers. Like, man, just get the ball to the right people, be a distributor and then, when the opportunity is there for you to make a big play or something, make it. But that’s all he has to do is play through his teammates. I won’t make a big deal of it or say too much to him because I think he’ll go play good.”

On if Jennings’ experience with SMU’s WRs helps: “I mean, it helped. He took all the 1 reps all spring and all spring he was throwing with them, and even in the summer. He started the conference championship game last year, started our bowl game. So, I know y’all are probably going to make a big deal about it and talk about it a whole lot, but it’s not his first start and it’s not his first start in a big game. So, probably about the only thing you say, it’s his first start at home. So there you go, there’s your headline. But he’ll do fine. He’s not going to be perfect. He’s going to make mistakes, shoot he may even turn the ball over and just keep playing. Just keep playing.”

On impact on him to make QB change: “Yeah, I mean, it’s never easy. I think I said it somewhere last week, it’s never easy when you make a decision that you feel’s in the best interest of your team, but you know it’s going to hurt somebody you care about. So, you’re not going to do those things lightly or in the knee jerk reaction. They’re going to be very thoughtful and you’re going to consult your staff and have the pulse of your team and all the things that go into it. So, fortunately that was 10 days ago, it’s in the past and our guys have done a good job moving forward. But no, it’s never easy. It’s never how you draw it up. But that’s the job. College football, week in, week out you’ve got to do what you think gives you the best chance to win. You’ve got to make hard decisions. And you know what, sometimes you make a choice and it doesn’t even mean it’s going to work, but you make the best choice that you have with the information you have. I think that’s what we did.”

On Jennings’ ability to bounce back and stay calm, given his play for SMU vs. Tulane: “Yeah, it does (give him more confidence). Kevin’s fearless. I mean, he plays the game fearless and sometimes that gets him into trouble, but he plays it with a confidence, kind of a just a ‘for love of the game’ kind of mentality, which I think is awesome. I think his teammates love that. He knows what to do. He’s just got to go out and trust himself and play as hard as he can. And, like said, play through his teammates and just go one play at a time, good or bad, and we’ll be fine.”