Written by Ryan Musich
Frisco, TX - On a clear and chilly night in Frisco, Texas, the SMU Mustangs went toe to toe with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the first annual DXL Frisco Bowl. It was Conference USA versus the American Conference. The Bulldogs won convincingly 51-10.
The action happened early and often for both teams. On the first play of the game SMU running back, Xavier Jones coughed the ball up and gave the Bulldogs possession in Mustangs territory. Unfortunately for Tech, a field goal is all that would come of the short-lived drive.
On their next possession, SMU was putting together a nice drive until Quarterback Ben Hicks threw an interception in Louisiana Tech territory, which was returned deep inside SMU’s side of the field. Shortly after, the Bulldogs made the SMU pay for the Hicks interception, as they would put together a nine play 30-yard drive that ended with a J’Mar Smith Rushing touchdown.
The point after was good, and Tech took the early lead 7-0.
Louisiana Tech’s defense continued to force turnovers on SMU. The Bulldogs picked off Ben Hicks for the second time in the quarter, but this time, Tech cornerback Amik Robertson returned this one for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and Louisiana Tech was off to a perfect start with the score 14-0.
The Mustangs got on the board on their third possession. SMU used the running game, and their fast tempo, no-huddle offense to move the ball downfield. The drive stalled though, and kicker Josh Williams would knock through a 25-yard field goal.
The action would continue to come fast and furious. After a huge kick-off return from Tech, Smith would find receiver Teddy Veal for the 7-yard touchdown. The touchdown receptions extended the Bulldogs lead to 21-3, and we were still only in the first quarter.
Tech led after the conclusion of the first quarter 21-3.
Immediately starting the second quarter, SMU was forced to punt, and after a quick 3 and out by Louisiana Tech, Hicks threw his second pick 6 of the night. The score after the interception returned for a touchdown was 28-3, and this game was getting ugly and out of hand early for SMU.
Tech would go on to extend it’s lead to 42-3 before SMU scored its first touchdown of the game. The touchdown was scored on a pass from Ben Hicks to receiver Trey Quinn. The score at the end of the first half was 42-10 as Louisiana Tech was on top.
To open the half, the Bulldogs and running back Boston Scott continued to give the SMU defense fits. Luckily, the Mustangs defense bent but didn’t break on the drive, as they held Tech to a field goal. 45-10 was your score.
The Bulldogs did not let up on the Mustangs at all during the second half and ended up taking this one 51-10.
The offensive MVP was Tech quarterback J’Mar Smith, and your defensive MVP was cornerback Amik Robertson.
After the game, Louisana Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz told the media that, “This win is for our senior class. This is the senior class with the most wins in school history, and I wouldn’t want them to go out any other way”. Holtz also noted that his school has now won four bowl games in a row.
I have to give a lot of credit to this LA Tech team. They held a very dynamic SMU offense to only 10 points and under 300 yards of total offense. They also forced six turnovers on SMU as well. The Bulldog offense clicked on all cylinders as well. J’Mar Smith played a heck of a game, Boston Scott had an amazing game on the ground, and star receiver Teddy Veal caught two touchdowns as well. This is a young team with a lot of talent that can go places next year.
SMU starts next year with a new head coach in Sonny Dykes. It will be a new offensive and defensive system for the Mustangs. Ben Hicks will be returning along with receiver Trey Quinn. But key receiver Courtland Sutton will be moving onto the NFL. Speaking of Sutton, I attribute the loss to not getting Sutton the ball more.
The turnovers were a huge part of the loss for the Mustangs, but when you have a talent like Sutton, he needs to have more than six catches for only 68 yards.
Once again, your final score is LA Tech 51 SMU 10. The Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech are your 2017 DXL Frisco Bowl Champions.
The action happened early and often for both teams. On the first play of the game SMU running back, Xavier Jones coughed the ball up and gave the Bulldogs possession in Mustangs territory. Unfortunately for Tech, a field goal is all that would come of the short-lived drive.
On their next possession, SMU was putting together a nice drive until Quarterback Ben Hicks threw an interception in Louisiana Tech territory, which was returned deep inside SMU’s side of the field. Shortly after, the Bulldogs made the SMU pay for the Hicks interception, as they would put together a nine play 30-yard drive that ended with a J’Mar Smith Rushing touchdown.
The point after was good, and Tech took the early lead 7-0.
Louisiana Tech’s defense continued to force turnovers on SMU. The Bulldogs picked off Ben Hicks for the second time in the quarter, but this time, Tech cornerback Amik Robertson returned this one for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and Louisiana Tech was off to a perfect start with the score 14-0.
The Mustangs got on the board on their third possession. SMU used the running game, and their fast tempo, no-huddle offense to move the ball downfield. The drive stalled though, and kicker Josh Williams would knock through a 25-yard field goal.
The action would continue to come fast and furious. After a huge kick-off return from Tech, Smith would find receiver Teddy Veal for the 7-yard touchdown. The touchdown receptions extended the Bulldogs lead to 21-3, and we were still only in the first quarter.
Tech led after the conclusion of the first quarter 21-3.
Immediately starting the second quarter, SMU was forced to punt, and after a quick 3 and out by Louisiana Tech, Hicks threw his second pick 6 of the night. The score after the interception returned for a touchdown was 28-3, and this game was getting ugly and out of hand early for SMU.
Tech would go on to extend it’s lead to 42-3 before SMU scored its first touchdown of the game. The touchdown was scored on a pass from Ben Hicks to receiver Trey Quinn. The score at the end of the first half was 42-10 as Louisiana Tech was on top.
To open the half, the Bulldogs and running back Boston Scott continued to give the SMU defense fits. Luckily, the Mustangs defense bent but didn’t break on the drive, as they held Tech to a field goal. 45-10 was your score.
The Bulldogs did not let up on the Mustangs at all during the second half and ended up taking this one 51-10.
The offensive MVP was Tech quarterback J’Mar Smith, and your defensive MVP was cornerback Amik Robertson.
After the game, Louisana Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz told the media that, “This win is for our senior class. This is the senior class with the most wins in school history, and I wouldn’t want them to go out any other way”. Holtz also noted that his school has now won four bowl games in a row.
I have to give a lot of credit to this LA Tech team. They held a very dynamic SMU offense to only 10 points and under 300 yards of total offense. They also forced six turnovers on SMU as well. The Bulldog offense clicked on all cylinders as well. J’Mar Smith played a heck of a game, Boston Scott had an amazing game on the ground, and star receiver Teddy Veal caught two touchdowns as well. This is a young team with a lot of talent that can go places next year.
SMU starts next year with a new head coach in Sonny Dykes. It will be a new offensive and defensive system for the Mustangs. Ben Hicks will be returning along with receiver Trey Quinn. But key receiver Courtland Sutton will be moving onto the NFL. Speaking of Sutton, I attribute the loss to not getting Sutton the ball more.
The turnovers were a huge part of the loss for the Mustangs, but when you have a talent like Sutton, he needs to have more than six catches for only 68 yards.
Once again, your final score is LA Tech 51 SMU 10. The Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech are your 2017 DXL Frisco Bowl Champions.