SMU to open its football season against Baylor on Sept. 4

The SMU Mustangs open their 100th football season against the 4th ranked Baylor Bears at 6 p.m. Friday in Ford Stadium.

The game can be seen nationally on ESPN and can be heard nationally on TuneIn Radio.

Among the changes this year is a new policy on what can be brought into the stadium, a slightly new route for the pre-game Mustang Walk, additions to the concessions offerings, an improved transportation and parking plan, and a new way for fans to follow the games.

Embracing what the Department of Homeland Security considers a “best practice,” the only bags permitted will be those made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC which do not exceed 12-by-6-by-12 inches, one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, or small clutch bags (about the size of a hand) with or without a strap. Among the prohibited items will be purses, diaper bags, fanny packs and coolers. For a complete list and more information, click here.

There will be an even greater opportunity to take part in the football team's pre-game Mustang Walk, giving fans the chance to greet the Mustangs as they arrive on campus prior to the game. The Mustang Walk starts approximately two hours and 45 minutes prior to kickoff. The walk will begin near Dallas Hall and then go through the student area of the Main Quad. The team will then march down the Boulevard before making a left at the Meadows Museum and heading north into the Loyd Center and their locker room.

Inside the stadium, SMU has made additions to its concessions offerings. The South End Zone Grill will offer hot-off-the-grill hamburgers and foot-long hotdogs with Texas-centric toppings, while the concourse next to Sections 103 & 203 will have a new Craft Beer Stand that will offer local brews such as Fireman's Four, Deep Ellum Dallas Blonde, Grapevine Monarch and Grapevine Sir Williams. 

Click here to learn more about Mustang Walk, concessions, and The Boulevard party.

SMU has created a transportation and parking plan designed to keep the traffic moving, make it easy to park, and ensure the safety as fans make their way into the stadium. Fans can get to the game using Dallas' great public transit system, DART. A gameday shuttle bus service is available from Mockingbird Station or fans can take the short walk to Ford Stadium. For fans driving to the game, both free and paid parking is available. For more details on transportation and parking, click here.

SMU will join TuneIn Radio’s college sports broadcasts for this season, allowing Mustang fans outside of DFW market to listen to football and basketball games. TuneIn Radio is a website and free mobile app that is available to download for both Apple and Android users. Searching “SMU” inside of the app and going to “Listen Live” will allow anyone to listen to Mustangs football and basketball wherever they are. Learn more.

Friday is only the start of the season that includes games against TCU, East Carolina, Tulsa and Tulane. Check out the complete schedule. And buy tickets. Your go-to source for information is Gameday.

SMU opened its first football season in 1915 with Ray Morrison, a former Vanderbilt quarterback, as the football coach. There was no football stadium but a field was laid out where the current-day Westcott Field is located. In 1915, it was called Armstrong Field. SMU President Dr. Robert S. Hyer decided that school colors would be Harvard Crimson and Yale Blue. SMU's first football game was played on October 15 against TCU. Click here to see a sample of SMU football highlights.

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