Nov. 5, 2009

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU Mustangs host the Rice Owls for Homecoming on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. SMU, which enters the game at 4-4, will look for its fifth win against the 0-8 Owls.

SMU and Rice are meeting for the 87th time, with the Mustangs holding a 45-40-1 series edge. SMU and Rice will also be battling for the Mayors' Cup, a recent addition to the SMU-Rice rivalry. The traveling trophy goes to the winner of each year's football matchup. The award came to being in 1998 when Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and Houston Mayor Lee Brown were in office.

There is palpable excitement on the Hilltop as SMU searches for six or more wins and its first bowl berth in 25 years.

Media outlets have taken note. Among the recent comments are:

WFAA Blog on SMU Football: The turnaround is happening right before our eyes...

Jean-Jacques Taylor, Dallas Morning News: I love what June Jones is doing... I think SMU will (get to a bowl game).

Dallas Morning News: There's that (June) Jones magic - he has the proven ability to turn programs around and the players believe...

ESPN.com: It's amazing how quickly June Jones has turned this team around and made it a formidable squad in Conference USA.

For tickets, call the SMU Ticket Office at 214-SMU-GAME (214-768-4263).