1989 SMU Mustangs football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1989 SMU Mustangs football Southwest Conference SWC 2–9 0–8 Forrest Gregg 1st Tom Rossley 1st Run and shoot Dale Lindsey 1st 3–4 Ownby Stadium 1986 The 1989 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Forrest Gregg, the Mustangs were returning to competition for the first time since 1986. An NCAA investigation into continued misconduct in the football program had resulted in the Mustangs receiving the "death penalty", which resulted in the 1987 season being cancelled and indirectly resulted in the team not having enough players to field a team in 1988. After playing most of the past several seasons at Texas Stadium, the Mustangs moved back to their old home of Ownby Stadium on campus, where they had not played since 1948. The Mustangs recorded a record of 2-9, finishing last in the Southwest Conference where they failed to record a victory. Both of those wins came against opponents from the lower Division I-AA level, as SMU beat Connecticut and North Texas. The team allowed 499 points on defense and gave up 50 or more three times, including their game against conference rival Houston where they gave up 95. "Ponygate" Southern Methodist University football scandal Throughout the late 1970s and mid-1980s the SMU football program had been investigated and punished several times by the NCAA for recruiting violations. The most egregious violation was a slush fund to attract players to play for the SMU football team. The repeated violations resulted in the football program ultimately receiving the death penalty, with the NCAA's infractions committee voting unanimously to cancel the Mustangs' 1987 season and the team's four scheduled home games in 1988.Asher Mark NCAA cancels SMU's 1987 football The Washington Post February 26, 1987 http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1308230.html https://web.archive.org/web/20121020151627/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1308230.html October 20, 2012 HighBeam Research subscription usurpedA Payroll to Meet Whitford David University of Nebraska Press 2013 1989 978-0-8032-4885-4 Lincoln 39 The team was placed on probation until 1990, was banned from bowl games until 1989, and could not be televised on national television until 1989. The program would lose 55 scholarships over four years and could only hire five assistant coaches instead of the usual nine. The program was also barred from off-campus recruiting until August 1988 and paid campus visits were forbidden until the 1988–89 school year. As a result of the penalties, the program granted a full release to every player on the roster that resulted in other universities recruiting SMU players.https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/28/sports/scouts-seek-smu-players.html SCOUTS SEEK S.M.U. PLAYERS The New York Times 1987-02-28 April 12, 2011 Frank, Peter H.Jenkins, Sally. SMU May Sit Out Through '88; Inability to Compete Under Sanctions Is Cited. The Washington Post, 1987-02-28. On February 27, 1987, two days after the sanctions were announced, acting athletic director Dudley Parker stated he was unsure if the program could field a team for the 1988 season.SMU considers scrapping its 1988 football season, too Chicago Sun-Times February 28, 1987 http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3812954.html https://web.archive.org/web/20121020151837/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3812954.html October 20, 2012 HighBeam Research subscription usurped Two months later, on April 11, university president William Stallcup formally cancelled the 1988 season, citing concerns over injuries to potential players and having to rely on a high number of walk-ons with only a few scholarship players remaining.Frank, Peter. "'88 football season canceled by SMU. New York Times, 1987-04-11. Return to football Hall of Fame lineman and SMU alum Forrest Gregg was hired as the program's head coach in January 1988; at the time, Gregg was the head coach for the Green Bay Packers and resigned and took a pay cut for the SMU job.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cGgaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ryoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6431%2C5331720 Milwaukee Journal Perkins Eddie The rebuilding starts for SMU, Packers January 15, 1988 1C https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g7YmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uqUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3313%2C3102488 Tuscaloosa News Associated Press Forrest Gregg eager to resurrect Mustangs January 15, 1988 15 Gregg was personally asked to take the head coaching position by Stalcup.https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/sports/ncaafootball/forrest-gregg-who-revived-smu-football-looks-back-with-pride.html Coach Who Revived S.M.U. Looks Back With Pride The New York Times August 1, 2012 April 26, 2013 Drape, Joe B20 The first player Gregg recruited was quarterback Mike Romo from San Antonio. Gregg and his staff had to rebuild the football program practically from scratch. By the time of the team's week one game against Rice, only one scholarship player, senior wide receiver Mitchell Gleiber, remained from the 1986 team. The Mustangs' week one roster consisted of 89 players, with 73 being freshmen, and 41 were on scholarship. The starting lineup against Rice consisted of 15 freshmen, two sophomores, and three seniors.Los Angeles Times Crowe Jerry https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-03-sp-2289-story.html SMU Returns and Is Routed by Rice: In Mustangs' First Game Since Nov. 22, 1986, Owls Get a Rare Victory, 35–6 September 3, 1989 July 11, 2022 In their first game since November 22, 1986, the Mustangs lost 35–6 to Rice; the Owls' victory snapped a 18 game losing streak.South Florida Sun-Sentinel Richards Darryl https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-03-sp-2289-story.html SMU GLAD TO BE BACK - RICE ALSO LIKES IT September 3, 1989 July 11, 2022 Schedule 1989 AP September 2 l Rice Ownby Stadium University Park, TX rivalry 6–35 23,227 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-wild-rice-romp/174057344/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Wild Rice romp mars SMU's return from the 'dead' September 3, 1989 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com September 16 w y Connecticut Ownby Stadium University Park, TX 31–30 20,548 Arace Michael September 18, 1989 UConn aims to put loss out of mind D1 The Hartford Courant https://www.newspapers.com/image/374335990 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com September 23 l Texas Ownby Stadium University Park, TX 13–45 23,733 https://www.newspapers.com/article/abilene-reporter-news-longhorns-pull-awa/174055891/ Abilene Reporter-News Longhorns pull away to trounce stubborn SMU September 24, 1989 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com September 30 l y TCU Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX rivalry 10–28 26,023 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tyler-courier-times-horned-frogs-dow/174056692/ The Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph Horned Frogs down Ponies October 1, 1989 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com October 14 l Baylor Ownby Stadium University Park, TX 3–49 21,434 https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-baylor-smash/174054818/ Corpus Christi Caller-Times Baylor smashes Mustangs, 49–3 October 15, 1989 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com October 21 l y Houston 16 Houston Astrodome Houston, TX rivalry 21–95 20,009 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-houston-rips-smu/174052882/ Wisconsin State Journal Houston rips SMU, 95–21; totals 1,021 yards October 22, 1989 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com October 28 w y y North Texas Ownby Stadium University Park, TX rivalry 35–9 21,186 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88051636/smu-rips-north-texas-359/ Austin American-Statesman SMU rips North Texas 35–9 October 29, 1989 October 30, 2021 Newspapers.com November 4 l y Texas A&M 20 Kyle Field College Station, TX 14–63 48,948 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-lewis-paces-agg/174052066/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Lewis paces Aggies over SMU 63–14 November 5, 1989 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com November 11 l y y Notre Dame 1 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN 6–59 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-its-only-596-as/173905330/ The Courier-Journal It's 'only' 59–6 as Irish pull punches November 12, 1989 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com November 18 l Texas Tech 20 Ownby Stadium University Park, TX 24–48 21,865 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-gray-carries-texas-tech/174054385/ Chicago Tribune Gray carries Texas Tech past SMU November 19, 1989 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com December 2 l y Arkansas 9 War Memorial Stadium Little Rock, AR 24–38 47,112 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-hogs-rally-to-subd/174050847/ The Commercial Appeal Hogs rally to subdue SMU December 3, 1989 June 7, 2025 Newspapers.com 1989 SMU Mustangs Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 7, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-methodist/1989-schedule.html Personnel 1989 SMU Mustangs y Ryan Lawson QB-P Greg Ballard WR Korey Beard WR Andy Bergfeld WR Michael Bowen WR Kyle Carroll OL Casey Clyce QB P Dan Freiburger QB Tre Giller OL Mitch Glieber WR Brent Harraman WR Matt Hart OL Rongea Hill RB Stuart Ison RB Marklen Kennedy TE P Marty Kidd RB Simeon Knight WR Kevin Love RB Mike Romo QB Oscar Rosales OL Omar Thompson RB Curtis Eldridge OL Derwin Ware WR Matt Wisenbaker OL Jason Wolf RB Jason Bednarz LB Korey Beard WR Steve Benotti DL Malcolm Borlenghi DB Cary Brabham DB Richie Butler DB Chris Collins LB Ron Hagen DB Darren Harrington LB Bill Kiely LB Geoff King DL Marcus Malonson DB Mark Martinez DB Uzo Okeke DL Mike Ostos LB Korey Beard WR Korey Beard WR Korey Beard WR Kenny Rea DL Marcello Simmons DB Matt Lomenick K Forrest Gregg Season summary at No. 16 Houston 1989 Houston Cougars football team SMU Mustangs football white;text-align:center; autocollapse SMU Mustangs at No. 16 Houston Cougars – Game summary October 21 Mustangs 6 8 7 0 No. 16 Cougars 24 35 22 14 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 20,009 Indoors (dome) Box score First quarter HOU – Roman Anderson 28-yard field goal. Cougars 3–0. HOU – Chuck Weatherspoon 2-yard run (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 10–0. HOU – Chuck Weatherspoon 54-yard run (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 17–0. SMU – Greg Ballard fumble recovery in end zone (kick blocked). Cougars 17–6. HOU – Paul Smith 62-yard pass from Andre Ware (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 24–6. Second quarter HOU – Patrick Cooper 7-yard pass from Andre Ware (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 31–6. SMU – Korey Beard 2-yard pass from Mike Romo (Collins pass from Lawson). Cougars 31–14. HOU – Brian Williams 40-yard pass from Andre Ware (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 38–14. HOU – Manny Hazard 3-yard pass from Andre Ware (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 45–14. HOU – Brian Williams 87-yard pass from Andre Ware (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 52–14. HOU – Manny Hazard 28-yard pass from Andre Ware (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 59–14. Third quarter HOU – Manny Hazard 46-yard pass from David Klingler (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 66–14. SMU – Kevin Love 26-yard run (Matt Lomenick kick). Cougars 66–21. HOU – Chuck Weatherspoon 22-yard run (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 73–21. HOU – Paul Smith 53-yard pass from David Klingler (Perry run). Cougars 81–21. Fourth quarter HOU – Paul Smith 74-yard pass from David Klingler (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 88–21. HOU – Patrick Cooper 16-yard pass from David Klingler (Roman Anderson kick). Cougars 95–21. Top passers SMU – Mike Romo – 27/54, 286 yards, TD, INT HOU – Andre Ware – 25/41, 517 yards, 6 TD Top rushers SMU – Kevin Love – 14 rushes, 53 yards, TD HOU – Chuck Weatherspoon – 15 rushes, 207 yards, 3 TD Top receivers SMU – Mitch Glieber – 5 receptions, 81 yards HOU – Paul Smith – 6 receptions, 255 yards, 3 TD SMU lost 95–21 to in-state rival Houston. The Cougars finished the game with 1,021 yards of offense, setting the record for most offensive yards in an NCAA game and the only time a team has gained 1,000 or more yards in a single game.The Athletic Vannini Chris https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1989-09-04-8903010417-story.html 'Everyone was in it together': 30 years after allowing 1,021 yards to Houston, the 1989 SMU team is still revered October 22, 2019 July 11, 2022 at No. 1 Notre Dame 1989 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team SMU Mustangs white 2; text-align:center collapsed SMU Mustangs at No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish November 11 Mustangs 0 6 0 0 No. 1 Fighting Irish 7 35 10 7 Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana 59,075 Recap/Box Score First quarter ND – Ricky Watters 35-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 6:54. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards. Second quarter ND – Pete Graham 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 14:22. Notre Dame 14–0. SMU – Andy Bergfeld 5-yard pass from Mike Romo (kick blocked), 11:37. Notre Dame 14–6. Drive: 3 plays, 19 yards. ND – Andre Jones blocked extra point return, 11:37. Notre Dame 16–6. ND – Billy Hackett 34-yard field goal, 8:16. Notre Dame 19–6. ND – Ricky Watters 97-yard punt return (Craig Hentrich kick), 7:04. Notre Dame 26–6. ND – Anthony Johnson 4-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 4:02. Notre Dame 33–6. Drive: 64 yards. ND – Safety, Casey Clyce steps out of end zone, 3:00. Notre Dame 35–6. ND – Walter Boyd 14-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 0:15. Notre Dame 42–6. Drive: 75 yards. Third quarter ND – Rusty Setzer 2-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 10:51. Notre Dame 49–6. ND – Billy Hackett 32-yard field goal, 5:45. Notre Dame 52–6. Fourth quarter ND – Rod West 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 3:22. Notre Dame 59–6. Top passers SMU – Mike Romo – 28/54, 194 yards ND – Tony Rice – 5/8, 83 yards Top rushers SMU – Kevin Love – 4 rushes, 5 yards ND – Ricky Watters – 7 rushes, 69 yards, TD Top receivers SMU – Jason Wolf – 9 receptions, 63 yards ND – Raghib Ismail – 4 receptions, 65 yards right Full game References External links 1989 SMU Mustangs football roster SMU Category:SMU Mustangs football seasons SMU Mustangs football