OUTLOOK
PLAYERS
COACHES
OPPONENTS
REVIEW
RECORDS
HISTORY
MEDIA
LUKE JOHNSON A two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection at defensive end. Recorded a school-record 23.5 career sacks from 1996-99.
LOUIE KELCHER Earned All-America honors and was named the SWC Defensive Player of the Year in 1974. Two-time All-SWC selection (1972, 1974). Holds the school record for most tackles-for-loss in a season (22, 1974). Standout NFL defensive tackle with the San Diego Chargers (1975-83) and San Francisco 49ers (1984).
JOHN LAGRONE Remarkable strength and determination allowed him to be selected an All-American and Academic All-American in 1966. Three-time All-SWC performer (1964-66). Played for the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos from 1967-74. Gary Moten is the second-leading tackler in school history with 455 stops
LINEBACKERS
BILL FORESTER
CHRIS BORDANO Named the 1997 Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division Defensive Player of the Year. Earned All-WAC honors in 1996 and 1997 as well as All-Southwest Conference recognition in 1994. Ranks fifth among SMU's career tackles leaders with 421. Played professionally with the New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.
PUTT CHOATE Two-time All-SWC choice in 1977 and 1978. The leading tackler in school history with 649 stops. Owns SMU’s single-season record for most tackles with 253 in 1978. Recorded 31 tackles in a game against Texas A&M in 1976. Played professionally for the Denver Gold (USFL) in 1983, San Antonio Gunslingers (USFL) from 1984-85 and the Green Bay Packers in 1987. Year 1975 1976 1977 1978 Totals
Choate's Stats Unassisted Tackles Assisted Tackles 28 32 76 74 68 118 94 159 266 383
Total Tackles 60 150 186 253 649
A fierce competitor who earned All-SWC recognition as a defensive tackle in 1951 and as a linebacker in 1952. Was also a strong performer on offense, having spent the entire 1950 season exclusively at fullback. Spent 11 seasons as a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers (1953-63).
JERRY GRIFFIN & BILLY BOB STEWART Although great players in their own right, Griffin and Stewart formed SMU's most intimidating linebacker duo in school history. Griffin was a first-team All-Southwest Conference selection in 1966, while Stewart was a two-time All-SWC honoree in 1965 and 1966. In 1966, the duo helped lead SMU to an 8-3 record, the SWC title and a Cotton Bowl appearance. SMU's defense allowed just 14.6 points per game that season.
BILL KIELY The only three-time team captain in school history. His 445 career tackles rank third all-time among SMU defenders. Led SMU in tackles in 1990 (144) and 1991 (125). Initially a walk-on who ended up a threetime team Defensive Most Valuable Player as selected by his coaches and teammates. Had at least 10 tackles 24 times in his prolific career.
GARY MOTEN Won All-SWC honors in 1981 and 1982. Second-leading tackler in school history with 455 stops. Led the team in tackles for three consecutive seasons (1980-82). Played professionally with the San Francisco 49ers in 1983, then spent three seasons in the CFL with Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Toronto (1985-87). Finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1987.
JASON SIMONTON A two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection at linebacker (1998 and 1999). Led SMU in tackles as a junior and senior with 100-plus each season. Kept six-year streak alive of an SMU linebacker recording 100 or more tackles in a season. Putt Choate amassed an amazing 649 tackles on the Hilltop
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