DALLAS, Texas – SMU wrapped up their home opener against Lamar with a 45-16 win over the Cardinals.
It was a slow start for the Mustangs with a 31-second three-and-out forced by Lamar to start the first quarter. It wasn’t until Florida native line-backer Shannon Reid intercepted the ball within the Lamar 40, that SMU’s spark started kicking. Off the interception, quarterback Tanner Mordecai quickly connected with Rashee Rice for an 8-yard reception and touchdown.
Tanner Mordecai threw for a total of 212 yards and 3 touchdowns, connecting with teammates Rashee Rice for two and tight-end Ben Redding for one. Redding’s touchdown catch was his first since 2018.
Mordecai threw his first interception of the season, which happened to be intercepted by defensive back Austin Goffney who is the older brother of SMU wide-receiver Dylan Goffney.
SMU running-back TJ McDaniel scored two touchdowns during tonight’s game, including a 57-yard rushing touchdown, which was his first since his devastating injury back in 2020.
“I really cherish that 57-yard touchdown because it was my first touchdown in two years,” McDaniel said, “Running into that endzone, it’s pretty overwhelming.”
SMU Kicker Collin Rogers tacked on one field goal during the game.
Back-up quarter back Preston Stone got to see some play time during the fourth quarter which resulted in an impressive drive throwing back-to-back passes to Austin Upshaw, and ending with an 8-yard drive for his first career touchdown.
After the game Head Coach Rhett Lashlee said in regards to Preston’s touchdown, “It really showed Preston’s athleticism and you could tell how happy his teammates were when he scored that touchdowns.”
The Mustang defense put pressure on the Lamar offense forcing 3 turnovers and held the Cardinals to a total of 104 rushing yards, and 212 passing yards.
During the first quarter, true freshman AJ Davis got to see some playing time at corner back.
Despite walking away with a win tonight, the SMU coaching staff admitted that there is still plenty of clean-up to be done before they start playing bigger opponents.
After the game, head coach Rhett Lashlee told media that “It was probably good that it wasn’t easy,” Lashlee said, “Ya’ll have seen our schedule, its about to get real.”
SMU will travel to Maryland next Saturday for their third game of the season.
