The SMU Mustangs downed the Tulane Green Wave 49-21 on Senior Night at Ford Stadium.
The game got off to a slow start as both teams traded punts. A short punt and holding penalty by SMU set the Green Wave up on the Mustangs’ 24-yard line for their second possession. A three-and-out led to a field goal attempt that was blocked by Zach Wood and returned for an SMU touchdown by R.C. Cox.
Tulane punted it back to SMU after one first down on the next possession. The Mustangs mounted a 95-yard drive capped off by a 13-yard touchdown run by quarterback Matt Davis, increasing their lead to 14.
The Green Wave responded with a 71-yard touchdown drive of its own. Quarterback Tanner Lee found receiver Larry Dace III in the back of the end zone on a 27-yard play.
SMU got the points back on the next possession, driving 91-yards for a 1-yard touchdown run by Xavier Jones. A 30-yard pass by receiver Courtland Sutton to receiver Darius Joseph set up the subsequent score.
After another Tulane three-and-out, SMU went 7-plays for 58-yards and a score. Jones ran 35-yards for his second touchdown of the game.
Jones scored his third touchdown of the game following another Tulane punt, capping off a 51-yard drive for the Mustangs and making it 35-7 just before the half. He had 135 total yards in the first half.
The second half started the same as the first with the two teams trading punts. On its second possession, the Green Wave marched 85-yards in 11 plays and finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Rob Kelley. Quarterback Jordy Joseph replaced Lee prior to the score due to injury.
On their third possession of the half early in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs put together a 99-yard drive that ended in a 1-yard touchdown run by Prescott Line. The score was set up by a 65-yard run by Davis and made the score 42-14.
Later in the fourth, Tulane drove 63 yards for a 2-yard touchdown pass from Joseph to tight end Charles Jones II.
SMU responded once again, this time on a 19-yard touchdown run by Braedon West with two minutes remaining, making it 49-21. Tulane turned the ball over on downs, allowing SMU to run the clock and end the game.
Tulane tallied 328 yards of offense but only 128 through the air. The Green Wave’s quarterbacks combined to complete just 13 of 33 passes and could not hit open receivers. Four players combined for 200 yards on the ground, including the leading rusher Dontrell Hilliard who had 84. The defense did not force any turnovers.
The Mustangs gained 518 yards of offense in a rush heavy attack. They racked up 323 yards on the ground and had two 100-yard rushers. Xavier Jones was a major factor, rushing for 117 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 44 yards receiving. Matt Davis was 17-24 for 165 yards through the air and was the leading rusher with 156 yards and a touchdown.
SMU (2-9, 1-6) will play Memphis at noon on Nov. 28 in the last game of the season.
