DALLAS, Texas — While many people are watching what is going on in the Power 5 conferences such as the SEC, ACC, Big 12 and so on, it is the SMU Mustangs out of the American Conference that have quietly put together one of the most impressive seasons thus far in college football. The reason for that success can be spread across their roster with a great defense and a solid offensive line. However, a large portion of the credit must go to the quarterback, Tanner Mordecai, who has shown that he is one of the best in the nation at his position.

Mordecai, a junior quarterback from Waco, Texas, joined SMU after transferring from the University of Oklahoma due to a lack of playing time. In this season with the Mustangs, he is currently tied for 1st in the nation for touchdown passes with 29. Mordecai’s former head coach, and current head coach of Oklahoma, Lincoln Riley, spoke on the terrific season Mordecai is having with SMU.

“It’s awesome, man,” Coach Riley said. “I’ve checked in with (Tanner) a couple of times and I hear from my brother how he is doing (Tanner) is doing great, man. It’s no surprise to see him and Grant Calcaterra there as well. Two guys that we love to death and have been great players here and they’ve worked out for Sonny (Dykes) and my brother. It’s been great to see. It really has. I’ve been really proud of them. (I’m) proud of Tanner. I know he’s worked really hard to get his shot.”

Mordecai continued his outstanding season this past weekend against Tulane where he threw for 427 yards and three touchdowns. Following the game, Mordecai spoke to the media.

“During warmups, I could just feel there was a better energy,” he said. “We were just bouncing around going. I felt like everyone was chomping at the bit to get after it after not playing last week and as an offense, for sure we haven’t played to what we want to do and tonight was just another opportunity for us to put a full game together. We got up big. We played really well in the first half. As far as another game, we take it just as serious as we do anyone else. We prepare the same way during the week and we’re just focused on getting better each week and going 1-0 each week. We were really excited to come out and play after not playing last week. Lot of excitement going.”

The excitement for Mordecai has been picking up traction off the field as well as he has recently has been added to the Manning Award midseason watchlist, which is given each year to the nation’s best quarterback.

Mordecai’s head coach, Sonny Dykes, also took notice of his quarterback’s exceptional play in the win over Tulane.

“What I saw tonight (against Tulane) was an ability to kind of full field read,” he said. “I think that’s something we’ve been working toward being able to do consistently.”

Mordecai’s consistency at the quarterback spot has not been a problem all season, and that will be a theme that SMU hopes to continue as they prepare for the toughest stretch of their schedule with Houston and No. 3 Cincinnati coming up in the next few weeks.

If Mordecai can keep putting up the numbers that he has all season against those tougher opponents, not only could SMU pull off a couple upsets, but Mordecai could play himself into some individual awards come the end of the season.

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