SMU Death Penalty, Pony Express Profiled On ESPN 30 for 30's 'Pony Excess'

To most modern-day college football fans, the sanctions handed down to USC for the Reggie Bush scandal were the most significant in memory. But over 20 years ago, Southern Methodist University didn't just forfeit games or titles, they faced the "death penalty."

In 1987, the NCAA voted unanimously to cancel SMU's entire 1987 season, and allowed it to only play seven games -- none at home -- in 1988 as a result of an investigation that discovered in 1985 and 1986 the school had paid 13 players a total of $61,000 from a "slush fund" provided by a booster.

The saga will be featured in ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary "Pony Excess," titled after the infamous "Pony Express" backfield of Eric Dickerson and Craig James that led the team in the early 80s.

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