SMU's Rhett Lashlee Sees Ray of Hope for Quarterback
DALLAS — When SMU quarterback Preston Stone went down with a lower leg injury in the second quarter against Navy, everyone assumed it was really bad. Obviously in intense pain, probably not one person in Gerald J. Ford Stadium even considered he would be available until sometime next year as he was carted away.
However, SMU fans want to grab the reins there a minute. That may indeed be the ultimate result, but there was at least a glimmer of hope it might be better than everyone originally thought.
"Obviously it's his lower leg, ankle area," coach Rhett Lashlee said on The Ticket in his postgame. "He was feeling a lot better a little later. We'll just have to wait and see what it's like later in the week."
Lashlee said he hadn't talked to medical personnel with any sort of depth, so right now all he can do is hold out hope for next Saturday's AAC Championship game with Tulane in New Orleans.
If he can't go, Kevin Jennings will be the next man up. He came in after Stone's injury and was 2-for-4 passing for just 26 yards after Lashlee pulled him early to ensure he has at least one of his top quarterbacks available next week. They were already blowing out Navy at that point rolling to the Ponies' 59-14 win that wrapped up the regular season.
"We didn't have to," Lashlee said about getting the redshirt freshman from South Oak Cliff playing time. "We also wanted to make sure we keep him healthy."
Because SMU has been in so many blowouts this season, Jennings already has significant experience. He's played in five games, often eventually giving way to his back-ups, which was case today as the Mustangs went four deep at quarterback. Jennings is an efficient 16-of-20 passing on the season for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
SMU never struggled against Navy, securing a shot at the Ponies' first conference championship in 40 seasons. The last time the Mustangs at least shared a conference championship was in 1984 at the tail end of the Pony Express years where the Mustangs were the winningest team in the country over a four-year stretch. The win Saturday was also SMU's fourth win of 40 points or more this season.
PONY EXPRESS:
PONIES' QUARTERBACK PRESTON STONE GOES DOWN WITH SERIOUS-LOOKING INJURY IN SECOND QUARTER
LANIER FINALLY GETTING FULL POTENTIAL OUT OF STAR GUARD AS PHELPS FINDS VOICE
