WATCH: Rhett Lashlee previews SMU-Temple
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee met with reporters on Tuesday to preview the Mustangs’ game against Temple on Friday. SMU is coming off a road win at East Carolina and is hoping to do the same against the Owls this week.
SMU’s fellow Texas program, North Texas, beat up on Temple last week, pulling away to win 45-14. Still, Lashlee saw a little bit more fight from the 2-5 Owls than in previous weeks.
“It’s a chance and an opportunity regardless who we’re playing,” Lashlee said. “Temple did come out against North Texas and played a little bit different than they had all year. Half the game they played a completely different defense, so not totally sure what you’re going to get. They’ve got a really experienced coordinator. He knows how to coach ball. The one thing they do, you always hear about ‘Temple TUFF,’ they do play hard and they do play physical.”
SMU loves to hit the big play when it can, but that’s something they’re still working on as the season hits the midway point. The Mean Green took advantage of its opportunities to pull away, which is what the Mustangs want to do.
“I thought there was a lot of plays that they played really well against North Texas, but then they gave up the big play,” Lashlee said. “Look, we’re going to have to execute and it doesn’t matter who we play. If we don’t execute, it’s not going to go well. And so yeah, this Friday is an opportunity for us to do that because it’s our next chance and we need to, and we need to play well.”
SMU takes on Temple Friday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2 in Philadelphia.
