Live Updates: SMU vs. Charlotte

SMU takes on Charlotte in the Mustangs’ AAC opener on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU. Follow all the action live in the blog below or join the conversation on the On The Pony Express message board.

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SMU took the ball to open the game. Quarterback Preston Stone scrambled for a 1st down then picked up another 1st down to the SMU 45 on a Jaylan Knighton run. Stone hit wide receiver Jordan Hudson on a sideline pass to the Charlotte 43. Knighton picked up another 1st down to the Charlotte 26. On 3rd and 9, Charlotte committed a facemask penalty that advanced the ball to the 13. Wide receiver Roderick Daniels took a jet flip for a 13-yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Mustangs.

Charlotte took over on its own 18-yard line. After two short runs, the 49ers faced 3rd and 6, Jalon Jones hit Duane Thomas, Jr. to the Charlotte 27, bringing up 4th and 1. The 49ers picked up the 1st down on a Shadrick Byrd run. SMU forced a punt, which Charlotte muffed and SMU took over at the Charlotte 15.

Stone was sacked on the 1st play, but then hit Moochie Dixon for a 13-yard pickup to the Charlotte 10. Stone scrambled for 10 yards, reaching the ball out for the touchdown, but it was just short. Knighton took it in on the next play for the 14-0 SMU lead.

Charlotte took over and Jones took off for a 52-yard gain to the SMU 25. Isaiah Nwokobia made a tackle for a loss of 1. On 3rd and 10, Jones’ pass was incomplete. Charlotte brought out Kyle Cunanan, who missed a 42-yard field goal.

SMU took over and after Stone was sacked and Knighton was dropped for no gain, Stone hit Jake Bailey for a 20-yard pickup to find a way to convert 3rd and 17. SMU’s drive fizzled from there and after another sack of Stone, the Mustangs punted.

Charlotte took over and drove right down the field on the Mustangs. On 3rd and goal, SMU’s defense held and Charlotte lined up for a field goal. The 49ers got on the board with a 21-yard field goal to make it 14-3.

SMU took over on its own 38 and Velton Gardner took the carry out to the Charlotte 39. Stone carried on 3rd and 4 to pick up a 1st down to the Charlotte 27. Knighton carried for a gain of six. Gardner came in and carried for a 1st down. Gardner continued to get SMU inside the 5, but the Mustangs came away with a field goal. With 3:56 to go in the 1st half, SMU took a 17-3 lead.

SMU’s defense forced a three-and-out on the next drive. The offense took over at its own 44 after Daniels’ return. Knighton opened with a 9-yard run. After a penalty wiped out a touchdown, Stone hit Key’Shawn Smith for a 1st down. The next play, Stone was intercepted. Charlotte couldn’t get anything going and the Mustangs took a 17-3 lead into halftime.

Charlotte started at the 25 and Jonathan McGill started with a tackle for loss, but Nelson Paul was called for a facemask penalty. SMU’s defense held firm after that, forcing a punt.

SMU took over at its own 5-yard line. On the 1st play, Knighton took it 95 yards for the touchdown to give the Mustangs a 24-3 lead with 12:53 to go in the 3rd quarter. SMU’s defense then forced a 4-and-out, giving the Mustangs the ball at the Charlotte 42.

After a few short runs, Stone hit Roderick Daniels on a 3rd down for a 1st down to the Charlotte 18. SMU’s drive stalled and Rogers kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 27-3.

Charlotte drove down the field with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that took up 6:15 of game clock. Jack Hestera caught a pass from Trexler Ivey to get the 49ers their first touchdown. After SMU’s drive went for one first down and nothing more, the Mustangs punted.

Charlotte took over at its own 26. For the 2nd straight drive, the 49ers drove right down the field on the Mustangs. The 14-play, 74-yard touchdown drive was capped by a Ivey touchdown run. The Mustangs led 27-16 with 6:23 to go in the game.

SMU took over after recovering the onside kick and moved the ball inside Charlotte territory. The Mustangs faced a 4th and 2 at the Charlotte 23. Stone hit tight end RJ Maryland for a touchdown to make it 34-16.

On the next drive, Charlotte was intercepted by CJ Sanders, giving the Mustangs the ball back. SMU couldn’t get anything going offensively, punting it away. Charlotte ran out the clock and the Mustangs won, 34-16.