SMU survives pesky Rice team, wins 36-31

SMU Football went to Rice and came away with a hard-fought 36-31 win on Saturday night in a wild matchup in Houston. Here’s the blow-by-blow recap of how the Mustangs got the win.

SMU got the ball to start the game. Quarterback Preston Stone opened with a throw to Jake Bailey for a 1st down across midfield. A holding call negated a touchdown pass to RJ Maryland. After the hold, Stone was tackled for a gain of three yards, which brought up 3rd and 13. SMU couldn’t convert and its fake punt was broken up. Rice took over at its own 44.

Quarterback JT Daniels was sacked on the opening play. After a short run, SMU got to Daniels again for a sack to force a punt. The Mustangs took over at its own 27. Stone hit Jordan Hudson for a gain of five to open the drive. Jaylan Knighton’s 4-yard run brought up 3rd and 1, which Knighton converted. SMU’s drive stalled and the ensuing punt was blocked by Peyton Stevenson for a 7-0 Rice lead after Chike Anigbogu returned it for a touchdown.

LJ Johnson opened with a run of 19 for a 1st down. Johnson picked up another 1st down then Stone hit Bailey for a 1st down to the Rice 35. Stone hit Roderick Daniels for a 34-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-7 with 6:22 to play in the 1st quarter.

When Rice took over, Daniels was intercepted by Kobe Wilson to give the Mustangs the ball deep in Rice territory. After a Knighton 1st down run, Stone kept it to put the Mustangs up 14-7 on a 20-yard touchdown run. The SMU defense then forced a 3 and out, giving the Mustangs the ball at the SMU 43.

After a holding that started SMU’s drive, Stone hit Key’Shawn Smith for an 18-yard completion to grab a 1st down to Rice territory. SMU’s drive stalled and the Mustangs couldn’t convert a 4th and 2 at the Rice 37. Elijah Roberts forced a fumble and Nelson Paul recovered it to give the Mustangs the ball at the Rice 35. SMU couldn’t capitalize, missing a 48-yard field goal attempt.

Rice took over and Daniels settled in, hitting Rawson MacNeill for a 31-yard pickup. MacNeill caught another pass for a 1st down to help Rice into the redzone. Dean Connors ran to the SMU 6 then Luke McCaffrey picked up a 1st down to the SMU 4. McCaffrey caught a short ass for a touchdown to tie it at 14 with 11:07 to play in the 1st half.

SMU took over and drove down the field, aided by two late hits on Stone by the Rice defense. The Mustangs were at the Rice 30 with 1st and 10. On 3rd and 4 at the Rice 24, Stone’s pass fell incomplete, which led to the 41-yard field goal and a 17-14 SMU lead.

SMU’s defense was able to hold and force a punt. The Mustangs took over at their own 11. A personal foul by Rice and a pass interference call helped SMU once again getting into Rice territory. Knighton racked up 18 yards on three carries to get SMU to the Rice 30. Stone targeted Jordan Kerley for a touchdown, but it was a touch underthrown. Stone rebounded to hit Jordan Hudson for a 30-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-14 with 2:09 to go in the 1st half.

Rice took advantage of a kickoff return to the SMU 39 after a personal foul was tacked on. Daniels hit Connors for a 14-yard touchdown to close the gap to 24-21. Rice got the ball after the half.

Daniels was knocked out of the game for Rice. SMU forced a stop to open the half and SMU took over. The Mustangs drove down the field from its 40 into the redzone. Stone took off for a 34-yard run to get to the Rice 22. Stone picked up the 1st down on 4th and 2 with a touchdown pass to Romello Brinson. Tyler Lavine carried it in for the 30-21 lead with 9:32 to go in the 3rd quarter after the muffed PAT.

SMU added a field goal to make it 33-21 then Rice responded 10 unanswered points. Running back Dean Connors capped a 8-play, 75-yard drive to make it 33-28 before the Owls added a field goal with 7:44 to go in the 4th quarter to make it 33-31. A Knighton fumble set the Owls up

Stone went down and went into concussion protocol, which led to Kevin Henry-Jennings getting into the game for the Mustangs. He led a drive into Rice territory, converting a key 3rd down to give the Mustangs the ball at the Rice 41. After an SMU holding, Roderick Daniels took a jet sweep for eight yards to set up 3rd and 12 at the Rice 32. SMU stalled for a field goal and Rogers nailed the 51-yarder to give the Mustangs a 36-31 lead with 2:49 to go.

Rice took over and after picking up a 4th down conversion, Chase Jenkins was intercepted by Isaiah Nwokobia to ice the game. The Mustangs kneeled the ball and won, 36-31.