'Thunder On: Resurgence of the SMU Mustangs’ premieres on ESPN Sept. 21

'Thunder On: Resurgence of the SMU Mustangs’ premieres on ESPN Sept. 21

DALLAS, September 10, 2025 — A new feature documentary detailing the SMU Mustangs' stunning return to college football prominence is set to premiere on ESPN Sunday, September 21 at 3pm ET and will subsequently become available to stream on ESPN+. Thunder On: Resurgence of the SMU Mustangs chronicles SMU's dramatic fall from grace after its football program was issued the harshest penalty in NCAA history and follows the Mustangs' long, improbable climb back to college football relevance.

Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing NCAA landscape, the film— produced by Texas Crew Productions in conjunction with Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions — explores how one private school in Dallas defied history, politics, and financial odds to earn its way back into the big leagues with swagger, strategy, and Texas-sized pride.

"This is a remarkable story about the resilience of the SMU community and the people who stuck by us," said SMU Director of Athletics Damon Evans. "Given what we have been through as a university and as an athletics program, it is incredible to see the rise back to where we are today. Thunder On will make the people of this great institution proud of what we have already done and what we'll continue to accomplish as we elevate this program to even greater heights."

Thunder On: Resurgence of the SMU Mustangs features many of SMU's beloved former players and coaches, like 1980s Mustangs greats Eric Dickerson and Craig James. Director and executive producer Chip Rives — the Peabody Award, NAACP Award, and eight-time Emmy Award winner at the helm of Texas Crew Productions — also taps the key figures driving the modern rebirth of SMU's football program for the film.
 
"This film is a testament to the current state of business and sports," said Director and Executive Producer Chip Rives. "It's also an homage to the pioneers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who built the great state of Texas. Without that true Texas grit and resilience, this Resurgence at SMU simply wouldn't be possible."

Head coach Rhett Lashlee and quarterback Kevin Jennings — the faces of the Mustangs' current team — participated in the documentary. Also featured in Thunder On are incoming university president Jay Hartzell, newly minted athletics director Damon Evans, and many of SMU's most prominent alumni and donors — including David Miller, Clark Hunt, Rich Templeton, and Marty Flanagan. Respected collegiate sports analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Jay Bilas also participated in the documentary, as did legendary college football coach Mack Brown.

Thunder On: Resurgence of the SMU Mustangs was executive produced by Texas Crew Productions' Chip Rives and David Karabinas and Omaha Productions co-founders Peyton Manning and Jamie Horowitz.