| 2008 overall record: 1-11 2008 conference record: 0-8, 6th West Division Returning starters Offense: 8, defense: 8, punter/kicker 0 Top returners QB Bo Levi Mitchell, WR Emmanuel Sanders, WR Aldrick Robinson, LB Pete Fleps, FS Chris Banjo, LB Youri Yenga, CB Bryan McCann Key losses RB Andrew McKinney, LB Justin Smart, K Thomas Morstead 2008 statistical leaders (* returners) Rushing: Andrew McKinney (190 yards)
Passing: Bo Levi Mitchell* (2,865 yards)
Receiving: Aldrick Robinson* (1,047 yards)
Tackles: Pete Fleps* (106)
Sacks: Youri Yenga* (6.5)
Interceptions: Bryan McCann* (3) Spring answers | 2009 Schedule | | Sept. 5 Stephen F. Austin
Sept. 12 at UAB
Sept.19 at Washington State
Oct. 3 at TCU
Oct. 10 East Carolina
Oct. 17 Navy
Oct. 24 at Houston
Oct. 31 at Tulsa
Nov. 7 Rice
Nov. 14 UTEP
Nov. 21 at Marshall
Nov. 28 Tulane | | | . Consistent quarterbacking: The Mustangs managed to make it through the spring game without an interception, which was one of the most glaring differences from SMU games last season. Starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw 24 touchdowns to 23 interceptions last year. Too many mistakes led to the poor campaign and the goal was to limit those mistakes this spring. 2. Team chemistry: After a season and offseason wrought with suspensions, off-field problems and dismissals, coach June Jones thinks he might have the beginnings of a cohesive team. In Jones' mind, that's a significant step for the Mustangs in their turnaround from a 1-11 season 3. Youth an advantage: After starting 11 freshmen and sophomores last season, the Mustangs enter this season with much needed depth and experience. There's a lot more confidence from the younger players this spring, especially Mitchell, who said he's far more comfortable now than he was at any time during the season. Fall questions 1. The new defense: The Mustangs installed a 3-4 defense this spring in hopes of improving after ranking 118th in total defense. Sometimes the new system looked fantastic during the spring, other times it looked disastrous. Jones expects more linebacking help from newcomers in the fall. The offense was decent last year despite the mistakes, but the defense will be the difference in this team improving in 2009. 2. The Sanders project: Emmanuel Sanders is one of the Mustangs best athletes and because of that, Jones has decided to try him out at cornerback in addition to his receiver duties. SMU said he'll be used mainly in the nickel package and he'll still be one of the team's premier receivers. 3. Improving the running game: Behind Mitchell, the offense primarily came through the air, but one of the goals this spring was finding some diversity with a consistent ground game. Chris Butler, who had 174 yards last season, returns as the premier back, but he and the offensive line, have a lot of work to do to give SMU some semblance of a ground game. | 
Watson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Missouri Tigers and the Big 12 Conference for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She also covered college football recruiting for the Dallas Morning News.
