Well, if you are a college football fan, you must know what emotions mascots hold for you and your favorite program. We are already aware of the Colorado Buffaloes craze with their live buffalo mascot, Ralphie. But the Buffs are not the only ones scoring big in the mascot game. SMU Mustangs’ Peruna IX can any day give Ralphie a tough competition. Yes, Peruna might be a pampered pony. But that doesn’t allow us to take him lightly, as he is also feisty and known for his strong kicks. However, no matter how adorable Peruna is, a controversy ghosts the past of the mascot’s history. 

Rhett Lashlee and the SMU Mustangs now have the ninth generation of Perunas. The first-ever Peruna mascot was introduced during a pep rally back in November 1932. But what made the Mustangs go for this unique name? The name comes from a popular alcohol-laced over-the-counter medicine called ‘Peruna Tonic.’ But gone are those days. If you hear the word ‘Peruna,’ the first thing that’s going to flash in front of you is the lively black stallion, standing true to the SMU spirit. There have been many laughable moments with Peruna IX. Like, during the 2022 game between SMU and Navy, he excreted on the field, causing a 15-minute delay. But not everything is about laughs for the SMU mascot. 

Yes, Peruna I was all adorable as he donned an artificial tail of woven red and blue wool yarn. Unfortunately, not everything was sweet about the pony. Well, their Peruna is the only mascot to have ever killed another college’s mascot. Yes, let’s go back 89 years. Back at that time, the program seemed to be all happy with their first Peruna, Peruna I. That’s when the Mustangs got to know about the furious side of their otherwise loving mascot during a game against Fordham University in New York City. At the game, the pony kicked Fordham’s mascot, The Ram, so hard in the head that he collapsed in the spot and passed away. That’s how Peruna I broke from his “cute” image, and the legacy is carried on till now by Peruna IX. 

Peruna IX’s sassy roast for Texas Longhorns

Yes, Peruna IX now gets the celebrity treatment. Just like the players, SMU arranges things, especially for their mascot. For instance, when the Mustang Band traveled to New York, he had been assigned his own cab, elevator, and hotel suite. But so what? Peruna IX kept on tormenting his handlers and other mascots. Well, we don’t know the definitive date, but reportedly the Mustang’s mascot kicked Texas Longhorns mascot Bevo.

However, this season, the Mustangs can be at peace since Bevo is not permitted to attend the SEC game. That’s when SMU, camouflaging behind Peruna’s name, roasted the Longhorns before their face-off against Steve Sarkisian’s boys. As per the reports, Bevo will not be allowed to be in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as there’s not enough space for him and his enclosure. What a chance for the Mustangs to roast the Longhorns! 

On December 6, SMU football reposted the news of Bevo’s ban from the championship, as he now weighs more than 1,700 lbs with a horn span of 58 inches. The Mustangs then posted the picture of their cute little Peruna with the caption, “Can’t relate.” So, SMU fans, you can now take this as a signal that Peruna will be in attendance during the Clemson face-off.