Emmanuel Sanders News

The SMU women's basketball team hosts rival TCU at 7 p.m. today at Moody Coliseum.

SMU celebrated its first bowl bid in 25 years in style Monday, accepting an invitation to play in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Dec.

SMU coach June Jones said it signified a new beginning. Athletic director Steve Orsini declared it offered confirmation that a program which had fallen on hard times for a quarter century has been resuscitated.

" A pair of Conference USA schools have accepted bowl invitations. SMU, the nation's most-improved team in 2009, has accepted a bid to play in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Eve in Honolulu.

SMU has essentially locked up a bowl berth in Hawaii, but the Mustangs are focused on getting to win No.

Emmanuel Sanders, a violet and white lei hanging loosely around his neck, signifying SMU's first bowl game in 25 years, has no regrets about his four seasons on The Hilltop.

Shawnbrey McNeal rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 5:23 remaining, to lead SMU to a 26-21 win over Tulane on Saturday.

On the surface, it looks rather odd - 6-5 Marshall is a one-point underdog against 3-8 Texas-El Paso.

Looking to lock up their first bowl berth since 1984 and snap the nation's fourth-longest bowl drought, the SMU Mustangs host the Tulane Green Wave in the regular-season finale for both teams on Saturday, Nov.

When Southern Methodist defensive lineman Margus Hunt came to the United States from Estonia, his goal was to train in the discus and shot put.

While SMU lost control Saturday of playing for and hosting a Conference USA championship, the Mustangs' message to each other was clear: All is not lost.

SMU freshman quarterback Kyle Padron kidded that he used to beg family members to attend his games - they certainly didn't expect him, then the third-stringer, to play.

SMU defensive end Margus Hunt blocks a field goal attempt Saturday against UTEP.

Big news from the Hilltop! SMU is all alone in first place in the Conference-USA West division standings and bowl-eligible for the first time in three years, thanks to Saturday's 35-31 victory over UTEP.

Kyle Padron completed 17 of 24 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns and added a pair of TD runs to lead SMU to a 35-31 win over UTEP on Saturday.

SMU senior receiver Emmanuel Sanders tapped out a text message to his teammates and coaches during the off-season, reminding them to put in inspired, hard work.Jeff Reinebold, the receivers coach, took it in, unsure of how Sanders would follow through on his leadership missive.

Originally published November 12, 2009 at 3:51 p.m., updated November 12, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. DALLAS a ' June Jones does not bring up SMU's dreadful history to his players.

Series Record: SMU leads 45-40-1. Last meeting: 2008, Rice 56-27. What's at Stake As they close in on bowl eligibility, the Mustangs look to stay in contention in the Conference USA race.

Athletic director Steve Orsini, clad in his standard red blazer, slapped backs and hugged with zeal.

Shawnbrey McNeal rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns to lift SMU to a 31-28 win over Rice Saturday afternoon.