Postgame Notes: SMU 38, Louisiana Tech 14

SMU Postgame Notes – September 2, 2023

[-/rv] SMU 38, Louisiana Tech 14

SMU (1-0), Louisiana Tech (1-1)

Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas

Media Guide | Roster | Schedule

NEXT GAME

At Oklahoma – Saturday, September 9 – 5pm CT – Gaylord Family / Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Norman, Oklahoma

TV: ESPN+

Radio: KTCK 96.7 FM/1310 AM | TuneIn app | SMU Mobile App/Varsity Network

TEAM NOTES

Captains: Jake Bailey #12, WR, Sr.), Elijah Chatman (#40, DT, Sr.), Brandon Crossley (#1, S, Sr.), Tyler Lavine (#31, RB, Sr.), Jonathan McGill (#2, S, Sr.), Justin Osborne (#51, OL, Sr.), Preston Stone (#2, QB, So.)

SMU opens the season receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll, making it the fifth straight season of being ranked or receiving votes.

SMU starts the season 1-0

• SMU is 19-4 at home since the start of the 2019 season
• Won 5 consecutive season openers
• Won 5 consecutive home openers

SMU had 6 sacks and 11 TFLs

• Most sacks since 7 vs. UCF, Nov. 13, 2021
• Sacks: Alexander Kilgore (2), JaQwondis Burns (1), Nelson Paul (1), Elijah Roberts (1), Jordan Miller (0.5), Kori Roberson (0.5)

SMU held La. Tech to 5-14 on 3^rd down conversions, including 0-6 in the first half

SMU had 457 yards of total offense and held La. Tech to 269 yards of total offense

SMU led 17-0 at the end of the first quarter and 31-0 at halftime, the largest first-quarter and halftime margin for SMU under Head Coach Rhett Lashlee

• First time SMU has shutout an opponent in the first half since SFA on 9/26/20 (W, 50-7)
• Largest halftime lead since 35-3 vs Abilene Christian 9/4/21 (W, 56-9)

L.J. Johnson 14-128 rushing with a TD, all career highs – includes a career-long 67-yard run

Preston Stone was 23-37 passing for 248 yards and a career-high 3 TDs

• Receiving TDs: Jordan Hudson, Nolan Matthews-Harris, RJ Maryland

Kori Roberson had a 16-yard interception return for a TD, first pick six for SMU since Brandon Crossley (18 yards) at Tulsa, Nov. 14, 2020

The Series vs Louisiana Tech 3-4 – SMU has won two straight

SMU Highlights and Head Coach Rhett Lashlee postgame radio | SMU Radio Network on KTCK “The Ticket” 96.7 FM, 1310 AM (Rich Phillips & Scott Garner)

• https://bit.ly/3r1cIVN (highlights)
• https://bit.ly/3YYo5dH (Lashlee postgame)

ESPNU Highlights

• Preston Stone 67-yard TD pass to Jordan Hudson https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/38313706
• Preston Stone 9-yard TD pass to Nolan Matthews-Harris https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/38313709
• Kori Roberson 16-yard interception return TD https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/38313794
• Preston Stone 25-yard TD pass to RJ Maryland https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/38313865

ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Ryan Bujcevski (#92, P, Sr.) – Ray Guy Award Watch List

• 3-153 punting with won inside the 20

JaQwondis Burns (#8, LB, Jr.)

• Had 3 tackles, including a sack

Elijah Chatman (#40, DT, Sr.) – Outland Trophy Watch List

• Had a TFL

Jordan Hudson (#8, WR, So.)

• Was 2-72 receiving with a career-long 67-yard TD

LJ Johnson (#11, RB, So.)

• Finished 14-128 rushing with a TD
• Career highs for attempts and yards, third career TD
• Career-long 67-yard run

Alexander Kilgore (#54, LB, Fr.)

• 3 tackles, including 2 sacks

Jaylan Knighton (#4, RB, Sr.)

• 17-64 rushing & 2-6 receiving for 70 all-purpose yards

RJ Maryland (#82, TE, So.)

• 5-58 receiving with a TD

Nolan Matthews-Harris (#14, TE, Jr.)

• 1-9 with a TD

Isaiah Nwokobia (#23, S, So.)

• Team-high 6 tackles

Kori Roberson (#92, DT, Sr.)

• Had 2 tackles and a half-sack
• Had a 16-yard interception return for a TD

Elijah Roberts (#5, DE, Sr.)

• Had 4 tackles, 2 TFLs and a sack – all career highs

Preston Stone (#2, QB, So.) – Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

• 23-37 passing for 248 yards and 3 TDs
• Career highs for attempts, completions, yards and TDs

Editor’s Note: SMU press release.