The Dallas Stars made a handful of roster moves today. What they could tell us about the opening-night roster or why they may not tell us much at all ⤵️

SMU didn't finish pretty, but it finished against Syracuse. “Now we’ve been there. We can say, ‘No, we’ve done it.’ Instead of ‘We almost did it.’ It’s a big step for this team.” Story:

How SMU’s defensive rebuild took a step in the right direction vs. Syracuse ⤵️

Rhett Lashlee said Andrew Chamblee missed today's game for the birth of his child.

5 thoughts from SMU-Syracuse: Mustangs’ defense returns to form in ACC opener

Final: SMU 31, Syracuse 18 SMU jumped out to a 24-0 lead and never looked back. The defense looked much improved. A strong start to ACC play for the Mustangs.

Syracuse scores again and converts the two-point try. 31-20 SMU

Dramecko Green is tackled in the end zone. Syracuse safety. 31-12

SMU takes it right back. Marcellus Barnes interception.

Mustangs turn it over. Syracuse will take over on the SMU 29.

Syracuse touchdown on the QB draw. 31-10 SMU

Jordan Hudson powers his way to the end zone. 31-3 SMU

End of Q4: SMU 24, Syracuse 3 A lot of punts that quarter. 15 mins to go.

Sam Keltner misses from 41. Still 24-3 SMU.

Half: SMU 24, Syracuse 3 The Mustangs nearly shut Syracuse out that half, but Syracuse gets on the board with a late 38-yard field goal. Still, SMU has this one under control so far.

Touchdown Derrick McFall. SMU is running away with it. SMU 24, Syracuse 0

SMU stops Syracuse on 4th and 2 in the red zone. The Orange are 2-for-5 on fourth down today.

SMU's defense had done so well, but it just gave up a huge play. 52-yard passing play.

RJ Maryland is left wide open. Touchdown. Mustangs are rolling. SMU 17, Syracuse 0

Another 4th and 1 stop for the SMU defense. SMU takes over at the Syracuse 40.

Yamir Knight touchdown. SMU's lead builds. SMU 10, Syracuse 0

End of Q1: SMU 3, Syracuse 0 Not a lot of points that quarter, but SMU's defense made some important plays to keep Syracuse off the board.

Mustangs are held to a field goal. Sam Keltner's 26-yard attempt is good. SMU 3, Syracuse 0, 2:36 left in Q1

Brandon Miyazono with a big-time pick. SMU is in the red zone. The SMU defense has showed up early.

SMU just stopped Syracuse on 4th and goal from the 1. Turnover on downs. Big play by Scott Symons' group.

Only a 14-yard punt by Wade McSparron. Syracuse takes over on the SMU 42.

SMU went 3 and out on its opening drive.

ACC Network just showed a graphic saying SMU has the worst pass defense in the country. 136th out of 136. Oof.

SMU won the toss and will receive the opening kickoff.

Here is the game-time injury report from SMU vs. Syracuse.

This is new.

ACC football is back in Texas. SMU (2-2) begins its conference slate today against Syracuse (3-2).

I’ve seen a lot of Stars fans make the argument that a move to the suburbs would alienate a large portion of the fan base. I asked Stars President/CEO Brad Alberts about this directly last night. Here was his response:

The Stars are looking to secure 75 acres of land in the next 6-8 months to potentially build a new stadium and entertainment district. It could take them out of Dallas post 2031. Story with comments from the team, Dallas and other North Texas cities:

The Dallas Stars have been in talks with multiple North Texas cities about potentially relocating after their lease at American Airlines Center expires in 2031. Plano, Frisco, Arlington and others are on the list. More on why they may leave Dallas ⤵️

Vern Fiddler learned everything he needed to know about Glen Gulutzan from one 30-minute interaction with his great-grandmother. That story and more from 2011-13 and Gulutzan’s first stint in Dallas ⤵️

Some fun, random things from Glen Gulutzan today: - He’s a big Swiftie because his daughter is, and he’s excited about her new album. - He was recently introduce to Buc-ee’s because his daughter goes to college in Hillsboro. His daughter is doing important work, clearly.

Glen Gulutzan said they’re looking to play Mikko Rantanen on both power play units this year.

Casey DeSmith has a new dinosaur-themed mask this year. He said his two-year old daughter is going through a T-Rex phase, and he thinks she’ll be excited when she sees it on TV or during warmups.

The DMN is 140 🎉 Honored to be a part of even just 2% of its history

SMU enters ACC play with a clean slate and all of its goals in front of it. But with little room for error, it needs to start off on the right foot against Syracuse. "If we get that win, we’ll be 1-0, tied for leading the conference just like that.”

What will Glen Gulutzan bring to the table as head coach of the Stars? I asked the players who already lived it from 2011-13 during Gulutzan's first stint in Dallas. "He’s paid his dues. He's more ready for the job than he was 10 years ago.” Story 👇

Glen Gulutzan said Jamie Benn is home from the hospital after his surgery for his collapsed lung.

Time to take a look at the Stars' goalies. With both Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith back after a great year, they will be one of Dallas' strengths in 2025-26. ⤵️

Rhett Lashlee addressed the rumors tying him to the head coach opening at his alma mater Arkansas. Read what he had to say here ⤵️

Next up on Dallas Stars position breakdowns: the defensemen. Could 2025-26 be a breakout year for Nils Lundkvist? ⤵️

Rhett Lashlee may be the top choice for Arkansas to replace Sam Pittman. It makes sense for the Razorbacks. But does it for Lashlee to return to his alma mater? ⤵️

It's time to break down the Dallas Stars' 2025-26 roster. First up: the forwards. How will the Stars replace production of three 20-goal scorers? That and more here ⤵️

Used my week off college football to watch some more college football 🏈

What happened to SMU’s defense? DC Scott Symons breaks down Mustangs’ early struggles