The Mustangs got their first win of the season Saturday night defeating Texas State 47-36.
SMU’s offense recorded 431 total offense yards, while the defense allowed Texas State to pick up 465 total offense yards. But the Mustangs were able to force five turnovers, three fumbles and two interceptions to get the win.
“Glad to get a first win for sure, we’ve got a long way to go though,” head coach June Jones said.
Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 370 yards and five touchdowns in his first win as a Mustang. All five touchdowns were spread out between Emmanuel Sanders, three, and Aldrick Robinson, two, who each had over 100 yards receiving on eight receptions.
“The main thing is getting out there and getting that first one,” Mitchell said. “Now the rest can keep coming.”
That could prove a hard task with Texas Tech coming up next week. SMU’s defense didn’t force Texas State to punt once during the game. The Bobcats attempted one field goal and one fourth down conversion, going 12 of 15 on third down conversions.
“It’s a little scary,” Jones said. “But we’ll get better, we’ll correct the things and keep grinding. We’re not going to change as coaches, we’ve just got to keep believing in what we’re doing.”
The Mustangs got off to a 21-0 start helped by a turnover on each of the Bobcats’ first four possessions. And even when Texas State finally reached the end zone the Mustangs still got points out of it.
Andrew Ireland’s extra point attempt was blocked by Youri Yenga and picked up by Derrious Bell. Bell returned the ball all the way to the end zone giving the Mustangs two points and a 23-6 lead.
But the Bobcats would not go away scoring a touchdown right before halftime to cut SMU’s lead to 30-13. The Mustangs held on throughout the second half and finished the game taking a knee on their own one-yard line.
“It was a great night for football and hopefully as we get better we will start selling the thing out (stadium),” Jones said.