Rhett Lashlee excited to show the world, ACC 'what SMU is all about' vs. FSU
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee kicked off his gameday on ACC Network, appearing on ACC Huddle ahead of the matchup vs. FSU in Gerald J. Ford Stadium. At 7 p.m. CT, his Mustangs will play the first ever ACC game as a football program.
“We’re real excited,” Lashlee told the ACC Network crew. “It’s been a long time coming just for the SMU family, for our university. We can finally stop talking about it. If any inclination of what Ford Stadium was like last weekend, tonight’s gonna be a lot of fun.
“A win would be huge because we’d be 1-0 in conference. Look, we’re playing the defending champs in our first ACC game. That’s how you want it if you’re a competitor. We have a ton of respect for Mike (Norvell) and Florida State and everything that program stands for and this year’s team stands for.
“We’re just excited for today. Today’s a big day for SMU, for our entire fan base, for our entire school. We’re looking forward to showing the world and ACC Network what SMU is all about.”
What SMU must do to beat Florida State
Lashlee has high praise for Mike Norvell’s program despite the Seminoles coming in at 1-3. Florida State’s been able to slow opposing teams down. The Seminoles haven’t allowed more than 29 points in 17 of their last 18 contests.
He’s confident in SMU starting quarterback Kevin Jennings to keep things moving in the right direction. Last week against TCU, the Mustangs didn’t punt. Jennings had a fumble, something he’s got to correct, but Lashlee’s expecting big things.
Top 10
- 1Live
DeBoer's 1st SEC Win
Alabama makes statement, knocks off Georgia at home
- 2Hot
He's only 17
Alabama WR Ryan Williams makes clutch play down the stretch vs. Georgia
- 3
Herbstreit reacts to Bama-UGA
Kirk Herbstreit reacts chaotic ending to Alabama vs Georgia
- 4Hot
Jeremiah Smith
Ohio State 5-star true freshman WR makes insane TD snag
- 5New
Milroe odds surge for Heisman
Jalen Milroe now front-runner for Heisman
“What Kevin just needs to do, he has the ability to make plays,” Lashlee said. “He has the ability to make a defense be uncomfortable and defend the whole field. Can you do that while you still value the football? That’s always the biggest thing. You don’t wanna take away a quarterback’s aggressiveness, ability to make plays within our offense. I think he’ll continue to do that at a high level.”
SMU’s 66-42 win over TCU last week included contributions from every angle of Lashlee’s team. When things kick off Saturday night, the Mustangs will need another showing like that.
“We were swarming on defense,” Lashlee said. “Five turnovers, scored two touchdowns, set up another one on the 1-yard line. We scored on a punt return. It was just a great all-around team win and to your point, you could feel our speed and again against a really good opponent.
“We’re gonna need that tonight because Florida State’s the fastest team we’ve played since I’ve been coaching here and and they’re probably one of the fastest, biggest, most-athletic teams to come to Ford Stadium In a long, long time, so we’re gonna have to match that speed. We’re gonna have to be able to play well in space for four quarters if we want to win.”
