SMU’s stellar start in the ACC hit a speed bump on Tuesday when coach Rhett Lashlee announced star tight end RJ Maryland will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
Maryland leads the Mustangs in receptions (24), receiving yards (359) and touchdown catches (four). No. 22 SMU (6-1, 3-0 ACC) plays Duke (6-1, 2-1) and 19th-ranked Pittsburgh (6-0, 2-0) in the next two weeks.
Maryland suffered the injury in the second half of SMU’s 40-10 win at Stanford last Saturday and didn’t return. He had two catches for 55 yards and a touchdown in the first half against the Cardinal. Maryland ranks ninth among FBS tight ends in yards per reception (15) and 14th in receiving yards, according to TruMedia.
Can the Mustangs survive the loss?
It hurts to lose Maryland, but the good news for SMU is quarterback Kevin Jennings knows how to spread the ball around. The Mustangs have five more players with double-digit catches this season, led by senior receivers Jake Bailey (17 catches, 260 yards, 1 TD) and Key’Shawn Smith (16 catches, 242 yards, 3 TDs).
SMU has a dynamic, balanced offense, averaging 40.7 points per game (11th among 134 FBS teams) and 439.9 yards per game (31st). The Mustangs are 28th in rushing yards per game (199.57) with running back Brashard Smith (628 yards, 7 TDs) and Jennings (280 yards, 2 TDs) leading the ground attack.
How does this affect the ACC race?
Of the four remaining unbeaten teams in conference play, Miami and SMU face the easier schedules. The Mustangs play four teams with winning records down the stretch, including Boston College (4-3) and Virginia (4-3). No. 6 Miami hosts 1-6 FSU before Duke visits, followed by games at Georgia Tech (5-3), home vs. Wake Forest (3-4) and a road trip to Syracuse (5-1).
No. 9 Clemson and Pittsburgh have tougher tests down the stretch. The Tigers host Louisville (4-3) before playing at Virginia Tech (4-3) and Pitt and then host the Citadel and South Carolina (4-3). Every team left on Pitt’s schedule enters this week with winning records: Syracuse, SMU, Virginia, Clemson, Louisville and Boston College.
(Photo or RJ Maryland (right): Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
