SMU’s Defense Faces Challenges After Impressive 2024 Season
Scott Symons has earned national attention for how he transformed SMU’s defense over the past two seasons. His name was commonly mentioned for head coach openings at other schools, but he chose to return to SMU this fall and face the challenge of rebuilding the Mustang defense.
A challenge that’s proved to be bigger than expected.
The Mustangs returned just one player who started all 14 games for them last year — Isaiah Nwokobia. But after having the ACC’s best defense in 2024, the drop-off through four games has been difficult to stomach.
“I take the blame, and it starts with me first,” Symons said. “We knew we had some inexperience going into the season. It’s frustrating because we lost two games we know were winnable games. But I also think we can grow and learn from it.”
Defensive Issues and Inexperience
Symons spoke with reporters Thursday for the first time since the season began and gave his assessment on the team’s defensive issues — namely those in the secondary.
SMU’s secondary allowed just 225.8 passing yards per game and 24 touchdowns in 14 games last season. Through the first four games of 2025, the group has surrendered 10 touchdowns and 334.5 yards per game.
SMU has struggled to get off the field as opponents have converted on third and fourth downs. It has also given up numerous lengthy plays leading to touchdowns. Last week against TCU alone, Eric McAlister recorded 254 yards receiving and three scores, including a 70-yard connection.
“The execution on critical down and distances was not there,” Symons said. “We’ve got to execute and understand the importance of situational football.”
Personnel Challenges and Injuries
Symons attributed many of the issues to personnel. While the Mustangs have some veteran returners such as Nwokobia, Ahmaad Moses and Jaelyn Davis-Robinson, they don’t have enough to fill a two-deep. They’ve spent the past four weeks trying to find the right spots for some younger players.
The nickel position has been a big question for SMU. Moses can play it well, but that takes him away from his safety position. La’Modrick Spencer had some success but suffered an injury last week.
“You’re trying to move guys,” Symons said. “We’re trying to figure out these pieces, and then at the end sometimes you kind of rob Peter to pay Paul … because then you don’t have a true two-deep and then we’re running out of gas late in games.”
SMU has been better off containing the run and rushing the passer, but its front seven is also entirely new and injured. The Mustangs have been without starting linebackers Zakye Barker and Alexander Kilgore as well as defensive end Aakil Washington at different points in the young season.
Upcoming Schedule and Optimism
SMU has faced two of the top quarterbacks and offenses it will play this year. TCU’s Josh Hoover and Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson made the defense’s inexperience show. But SMU did hold fourth-quarter leads in both games.
“We’ve gotta finish,” Symons said. “I’ve gotta put them in better situations. We’ve got to get better fundamentally. We’ve got to make plays when the ball’s in the air.”
The schedule ahead won’t get much easier. SMU still has to face Miami, the No. 2 team in the country, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, one of the top passers in the nation, and a wealth of ACC teams far more skilled than two of its nonconference opponents.
Symons said he used the bye week to tinker with some positioning and hopes the moves will get his group on a better track.
“I know we haven’t played our best football yet,” Symons said. “We feel confident as a defensive staff that we can put a much better showing on the field, start to finish.
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Conclusion
SMU’s defense has faced significant challenges this season, but Symons remains optimistic about the team’s potential. With a tough schedule ahead, the Mustangs will need to improve their defensive performance to compete with top teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about SMU’s defense:
Q: What has been the main issue with SMU’s defense this season?
A: The main issue has been the team’s inexperience and lack of depth, particularly in the secondary.
Q: How has Symons addressed the defensive issues?
A: Symons has taken responsibility for the team’s performance and has been working to adjust the team’s positioning and strategy to better utilize the players’ strengths.
Q: What can fans expect from SMU’s defense in the upcoming games?
A: Fans can expect the team to continue working on improving their defensive performance, with a focus on executing better on critical downs and distances.
