HUNTINGTON -- Despite earlier-than-anticipated success, SMU football isn't exactly filling the tradition mold of second-year head coach June Jones.

Known for his prolific offenses, particularly during his tenure at Hawaii, Jones' Mustang squad is excelling through complete efforts. SMU's defense ranks seventh nationally with 16 interceptions and is tied for No. 8 among Division I-A programs with 26 takeaways.

Then there's Margus Hunt. The rangy defensive end already has established an SMU single-season record with seven blocked kicks. The 6-foot-8, 267-pound redshirt freshman, who also boasts 1.5 sacks, is one block short of tying the NCAA's single-season record, shared by three players.

Jones' teams traditionally are predicated on offense, and this year's squad is producing. SMU averages 27.8 points and more than 378 total yards, including 271.7 passing, a game leading to the Mustangs' Conference USA surprising West Division lead.

Now bowl eligible, SMU takes on Marshall, which is seeking the same. Kickoff between SMU (6-4, 5-1) and the Thundering Herd (5-5, 3-3 C-USA) is 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The game will not be televised.

Throughout the week, Marshall head coach Mark Snyder has been asked of Jones' dynamic offense. Snyder, however, often has deferred to the game's other two phases when diagramming the 2009 Mustangs. Sooner than otherwise, Jones likely will build a program producing video-game type offensive numbers.

In the interim, he's winning in a manner less-than-typical of Jones' college and National Football League career.

"I don't think he has his full offense in yet," Snyder said. "It is only year two, but he is on his way. They throw the ball down the field, and they have a good tailback that keeps you honest.

"And again, they have made some things happen on the special teams that has helped out the team."

Jones hardly is lacking for offensive threats. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders ranks as the program's all-time leader with 264 catches, 32 touchdown receptions and 3,429 receiving yards. His 32 TD catches leads all active Division I-A players.

Tailback Shawnbrey McNeal has rushed for 896 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards a carry. As a team, SMU totaled merely 497 rushing in 2008. McNeal likely will become the Mustangs' first 1,000-yard rusher since Keylon Kincade topped the mark in '03.

"We will see what the game plan is," Snyder said. "There is going to be some game day adjustments made come Saturday, but not as much as you think.

"They use a tight end. He does go four wide receives. When they do go empty it is either their runner back out there, or their quarterback, when they go into the racehorse."

Indeed, this is not prototypical June Jones team -- yet.

Anthony Hanshew covers Marshall football for The Herald-Dispatch. He can be reached at 304-526-2766. His e-mail address is hanshew@herald-dispatch.com.

AP Video