SMU is now without two of its leading receivers in a huge ACC clash against Pitt tonight.
Pete Thamel of ESPN reported that SMU wide receiver Jake Bailey will miss the game tonight. The Mustangs are already without leading pass catch RJ Maryland, who suffered a torn ACL earlier this season.
Bailey is second on the team in receptions and third in receiving yards. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound slot receiver is a big loss for an already weakened pass-catching corps.
The injury will be felt across the offense as a collection of running backs, wide receivers and tight ends (including Key’Shawn Smith and Roderick Daniels) will be tasked with picking up the slack. SMU has thrived as a run-first team this season, and the losses of Bailey and Maryland will be felt through the air and on the ground.
SMU has the top rushing attack in the ACC, averaging 201 yards on the ground per game, and quarterback Kevin Jennings and running back Brashard Smith form a dynamic duo.
But Bailey and Maryland are tied for the team lead in receptions this season.
It’s a major opportunity for the Pitt defense to shut down the Mustangs’ rushing attack and force Jennings, who turned the ball over five times last weekend against Duke, to win the game through the air. The Panthers are coming off a game in which they forced five turnovers themselves.
Pitt and SMU are scheduled to kick off at Gerald J. Ford Stadium Saturday at 8 p.m. — with some bad weather in the forecast. The important conference clash will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
