The SMU Mustangs fell to the Houston Cougars on Thursday night at TDECU Stadium 49-28.
SMU got the ball first and started the game strong. An 8-yard touchdown pass from Matt Davis to wide receiver Courtland Sutton capped off an 82-yard drive in which Davis ran for 55.
Houston responded with a 4-play drive that lasted just 1:14 and ended with a 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback Greg Ward Jr.
The Mustangs took the lead back nine plays later when Davis found Ryheem Malone for a 9-yard touchdown pass.
The teams traded punts before the first quarter ended. Houston tied it up less than a minute into the second on a 2-yard touchdown run by Kenneth Farrow. A fumble by SMU running back Braeden West was recovered by the Cougars minutes later but they were unable to capitalize.
SMU regained the lead on a Matt Davis scramble for a touchdown on the ensuing possession.
Another SMU turnover on their next possession set Houston up in the red zone on the 10-yard line. Kenneth Farrow ran for his second touchdown of the game two plays later, tying the game 21-21.
A third SMU fumble recovered by Houston with 44 seconds left in the half led to another touchdown. This time, it was Greg Ward Jr. with a second touchdown run of his own. The Cougars took a 28-21 lead into halftime.
On the first possession of the second half, Houston fumbled and SMU recovered. The Mustangs could not capitalize on the field position and turned it over on downs.
Houston took the ball back on their own 38-yard line and marched down the field for another Greg Ward Jr. touchdown run, extending their lead to 35-21.
After a promising start to the next drive that included a 38-yard pass to Darius Joseph, SMU was forced to punt.
On the ensuing drive, Houston went 75 yards for another Kenneth Farrow touchdown run, this time 1-yard, increasing the lead to 42-21.
After another SMU punt, the Cougars added to their lead with what was Greg Ward Jr.’s fourth touchdown run of the evening.
The Mustangs responded quickly with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Darius Joseph but it was too little too late.
Houston scored all seven of its touchdowns on the ground, racking up 214 rushing yards as a team. Ward Jr. was nearly perfect through the air, going 16 for 18 with 243 yards. He and the rest of the Cougar offense shredded an SMU defense that has given up a lot of yards and a lot of points this season.
SMU quarterback Matt Davis played another solid game. He totaled 248 yards and three touchdowns through the air as well as 46 yards and another touchdown on the ground. Courtland Sutton was Davis’ favorite target once again, hauling in six passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. After surrendering five more sacks on the night, SMU is now leading the FBS in sacks allowed this season.
The win improved Houston’s record to 5-0. The Cougars will take on Tulane next weekend in another American Athletic Conference showdown.
With the loss, the Mustangs fell to 1-5 on the year. SMU has a much needed bye week before going on the road against conference opponent USF on Oct. 24.
