DALLAS, TX – A historic rivalry came to a close on Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium when SMU beat Houston 77 to 63. Houston is moving to the Big 12 conference which means that the Mustangs not only walked away with a crucial conference win, they also claimed the final conference victory between the two teams.
The combined score of 140 points set a new FBS record for a game in regulation. SMU also broke their own record for most points scored in a game, the previous record of 72 points having been set against Houston in 2012.
The game kicked off as a back and forth scoring battle between offenses until SMU safety Nick Roberts forced two interceptions in the second quarter, which gave the Mustangs a comfortable lead going into halftime. It wasn’t until the end of the third quarter, after nine straight touchdown drives, that SMU ended a drive with a punt instead of a touchdown.
After sitting out last week recovering from a concussion, SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai had a career high game, setting an AAC and SMU record with 9 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown.
“This team plays hard,” Mordecai said. “We lay it all out there.”
The Mustangs took the field for the first time this season sporting all black uniforms, which Head Coach Rhett Lashlee claimed he and his team were hyped to wear, but fans should not expect to see them on the road.
SMU will play South Florida on the road Saturday, Nov. 12th. If SMU wins, they will be bowl eligible.
“November is for finishers, that’s always been our goal,” Lashlee said. “We are going to celebrate tonight but will be back ready to go Monday morning.”
