The Mustangs have played each of their first four games in Texas, and all of them have had fans in the stands, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Friday’s game in New Orleans was played in front of a mostly empty stadium. Because of local safety ordinances, it was mainly just the Green Wave band in the stands at a windy Yulman Stadium. There appeared to be some fans in the seats behind the Tulane bench. Most schools have been allowing around 20%-25% capacity in their stadiums.
SMU running back Ulysses Bentley IV struggled in the Memphis game after TJ McDaniel went down on the first play of the game. He had just 32 rushing yards on 13 carries. He surpassed that total early in the second quarter against the Green Wave, and averaged 5.1 yards per carry in that first half. The Mustangs also used backup Tyler Lavine somewhat sparingly early. TaMerik Williams also played.
The Mustangs were dinged for six penalties in the first half for 62 yards. One of those penalties was declined by Tulane, but only because an SMU player was tackled for a loss on a play when it was called for holding. The Mustangs hadn’t had more than 63 penalty yards in any game. SMU has typically been very good at limiting penalties. On two of Tulane’s scoring plays in the first half, penalties set up the Green Wave perfectly. The latter was a critical pass interference call against CB Brandon Stephens.
