In the College Football Playoff, the SMU Mustangs will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. After the NCAA imposed the “death penalty” on the program in 1987, the school’s first playoff berth signifies a comeback to prominence.
Texas’s University ParkMany football fans weren’t prepared for the SMU Mustangs’ journey to the College Football Playoffs.
On Saturday, the 11th-seeded Mustangs will play Penn State, ranked sixth.
The school’s national profile has increased as a result of the football program’s success.
The institution reports a more than 50% increase in new student applications over the previous year.
Google searches for a number of university-related queries have also increased.
What does SMU stand for?
Thanks to SMU
Southern Methodist University is referred to as SMU.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, established the school in 1911.
Where is SMU located?
SMU is situated in Dallas County in University Park, Texas.
In Fall 2024, SMU had over 12,000 students enrolled.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center is also located on campus.
What is SMU’s mascot?
The anticipation for tomorrow’s SMU playoff game is growing!
The Mustangs are SMU’s mascot.
Since 1932, the Shetland pony Peruna has been the school’s mascot.
Since 2011, Peruna IX, the newest mascot, has been prancing on the field.
SMU Death Penalty Scandal
report on sanctions dated February 25, 1987, which ultimately resulted in the two-year suspension of SMU’s football program.
The NCAA never applied what is referred regarded as the “death penalty” to any other school than SMU.
The penalty was imposed following an NCAA-SMU investigation that revealed boosters were paying student athletes between September 1985 and December 1986, and that university staff members had consented to the illicit payments.
The Mustangs had to cancel their 1987 season due to the penalty, and the school also had to cancel the 1988 season.
For four years, the institution also lost fifty-five scholarship spots.
According to the committee that imposed the penalty, it was intended to set an example for other colleges.
What conference is SMU in?
The Atlantic Coast Conference is where SMU competes.
SMU will make its ACC debut in 2024.
The Mustangs have played in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1915–1917), the American Conference (2013–2023), the Conference USA (2005–2012), the WAC (1996–2004), and the Southwest Conference (1918–2995).
Famous SMU Alumni
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Laura Bush, former First Lady of Texas and the United States
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Kathy Bates, Academy Award Winning Actress
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Bryson DeChambeau, professional golfer
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Brian Baumgartner, Kevin Malone from The Office
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Stephen Tobolowsky, Actor
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Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO, Bumble; co-founder, Tinder
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Lamar Hunt, founder of the American Football League
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Clark Hunt, chair of the board, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL
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Eric Dickerson, Pro Football Hall of Famer
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Raymond Berry, Pro Football Hall of Famer
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Doak Walker, Pro Football Hall of Famer
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Forrest Gregg, Pro Football Hall of Famer
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Payne Stewart, professional golfer
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Nadja Swarovski Adams, chairwoman of Swarovski Entertainment
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Kevin Lavelle, founder and CEO, Mizzen+Main
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Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver, TOMS
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Jack Ingram, Country Music Singer
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Rick Scott, governor of Florida
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Southern Methodist University and previous FOX 4 reporting provided the information for this article.
Southern Methodist University and previous FOX 4 reporting provided the information for this article.
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