Jul 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; SMU quarterback Preston Stone speaks to the media throughout ACC Kickoff at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Necessary Credit score: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports activities SMU quarterback Preston Stone does not catch himself unintentionally saying his program performs within the American Athletic Convention anymore.
“I am fairly hardwired to assume (Atlantic Coast Convention) at this level,” Stone mentioned with a smile on Monday at ACC Media Days in Charlotte.
Stone and coach Rhett Lashlee lead the Mustangs again into the power-conference ranks of school soccer in 2024. SMU joins Cal and Stanford because the ACC’s three new member colleges.
This system’s latest soccer custom could also be missing, however SMU performed in opposition to the likes of Texas, Texas A&M and Arkansas within the Southwest Convention till the league’s dissolution in 1996.
“We have been on this stage a few years within the Southwest Convention, gained over 11 convention championships, three nationwide titles, had a wealthy historical past and custom,” Lashlee mentioned Monday. “To have had that and misplaced it, now to have it again. I do not assume there’s any query our college, and we imagine our program proper within the coronary heart of Dallas belongs on the nationwide stage. We’re humbled and grateful for the chance to be again.”
The Mustangs have not gained a bowl recreation since 2012, however they’re coming off an 11-3 marketing campaign that noticed them run the desk within the American and win the convention championship recreation. It was this system’s winningest season for the reason that 1982 nationwide championship marketing campaign.
The chaos of the latest spherical of convention realignment apart, Lashlee emphasised that he believes SMU earned the chance to be again on this stage.
“We perceive it is a completely different alternative,” Lashlee mentioned. “We’re shifting up in weight class. To play 10 straight energy video games, we’ve not achieved that in virtually 30 years at our program. There’s going to be some modifications there.”
A type of modifications included beefing as much as put together for the bounce in expertise. By Lashlee’s depend, 13 of SMU’s 20 incoming transfers play on both the offensive or line of defense.
Lashlee identified that SMU’s first two ACC video games come in opposition to Florida State and Louisville — the 2 colleges that performed in final 12 months’s convention championship recreation.
“I really feel assured we’ve a staff that is going to compete,” Lashlee mentioned. “What does that appear like? I do not know. We’re excited to get out and see the place we stand.”
Stone threw for 3,197 yards, 28 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in his redshirt sophomore season in 2023. A Dallas native, he usually attended SMU video games as a toddler.
“I keep in mind when Baylor got here into city and Courtland Sutton was going loopy,” Stone mentioned. “I keep in mind when Johnny Manziel tore us up again in 2012.
“Now we’ve an opportunity to play big-boy soccer within the ACC. I really feel extremely fortunate to be this college’s quarterback. That is not one thing I take calmly.”
–Discipline Degree Media
