SMU football The team travels to Charlotte, North Carolina with reinforcements for Saturday night’s Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against Clemson. But not everyone agrees with the latest squad expansion.

SMU announced earlier this week that team mascot Peruna will make the trip with the team to support the Mustangs in their attempt to stay perfect in conference play and secure a spot on the newly expanded roster College Football Playoffs.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) reacts to throwing a touchdown pass to teammate wide receiver Derrick McFall (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Dallas ) shows. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to SMU President R. Gerald Turner on Friday calling on the university to “cancel the senseless stunt and add to the school’s archaic tradition of a live mascot.” have to put an end to it.”

“Ponies are prey animals whose instinct is to panic and flee from frightening noises, but SMU plans to parade this pony like a toy in front of a stadium full of screaming fans, noisemakers and a band,” said Kathy Guillermo, senior Vice President of PETA in a statement.

“PETA urges SMU to consider Peruna IX’s perspective, cancel this appearance, and leave the ponies alone by ending the school’s live mascot program.”

Southern Methodist Mustangs mascot Peruna runs across the field during a college football game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the Prairie View Am Panthers at Gerald Ford Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Dallas, TX. (Christopher Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Texas Longhorns’ live mascot, Bevo, will be excluded from the SEC Championship

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Despite the protest, Peruna IX will be in Charlotte on Saturday evening.

Peruna IX, a colt, has been SMU’s mascot since 2011. SMU’s first live mascot appeared in 1932, and for the first 60 years, Peruna stormed the field after every SMU touchdown. Now Peruna leads the team onto the field and runs between quarters.

FILE – Peruna, the SMU Mustangs mascot, runs on the field before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Oct. 5, 2019. (Timothy Flores-USA TODAY Sports)

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Saturday ACC title game Starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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