The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

SMUs Tyreek Smith dunks as the Mustangs run up the scoreboard against Memphis in Moody Coliseum.
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Brian Richardson, Contributor • March 28, 2024
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Mustangs blow last chance to win this weekend against Tulsa

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(Courtesy of SMU Athletics)
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(Courtesy of SMU Athletics)

SMU’s bid for its first win of the season came up just short on Saturday, as the Mustangs lost to Tulsa 38-28. Mustangs quarterback Matt Davis totaled 292 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start, but it was not enough to overcome Tulsa quarterback Dane Evans’ five touchdowns.

“We just couldn’t play enough defense today, that was the hard part,” SMU Interim Head Coach Tom Mason said. “If we played any defense we win this game. We gave up too many big plays again. I talked to the kids at halftime about it — if we just do our assignment and not try to do too much, quit over-reaching on things, and just do our job, we win this ball game.”

The game could not have started better for the Mustangs. Davis threw a 64-yard touchdown pass – the first of his career – to Der’rikk Thompson on the Mustangs’ first play from scrimmage, giving them their first lead of the season. Davis did his best work on the ground, rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns.

“I think the preparation helped in the game today,” Davis said. “The coaches did a good job putting us in the right position and giving us a good opportunity to succeed with the game plan and the plays we were given. I felt pretty good out there.”

But things got ugly for SMU soon after. Davis was intercepted on the Mustangs’ second drive, and Tulsa quickly turned it into a touchdown and a 7-6 lead. SMU got the lead back, 13-7, when K.C. Nlemchi ran for a touchdown on the next drive, but the Mustangs would not score again in the first half. They watched the Golden Hurricane put up three more touchdowns, resulting in a 28-13 halftime deficit.

The halftime score could have been worse for SMU. Brewer fumbled in the red zone two plays after Tulsa recovered a Davis fumble. SMU safety Darrion Richardson sacked Evans on the last play of the first half to push Tulsa out of field goal range.

Still, big plays doomed SMU in the first half. Evans threw a 42-yard touchdown to Bishop Louie one play after D’Angelo Brewer returned a kickoff 58 yards. He threw two scores to AAC receiving yards leader Keevan Lucas, one of which went for 64 yards.

Lucas and fellow wide receiver Keyarris Garrett torched SMU defensive backs all game. They finished the game with a combined eight catches, 184 yards and four touchdowns.

“If you can’t play one-on-one with your corners, you’re going to have some problems,” Mason said. “We have to look at that and figure out if we’re going to go to a role-type coverage or what. But I think we gave up three touchdowns on fade routes today.”

Evans threw his fifth touchdown pass in the third quarter to extend the lead to 35-13, but the Mustangs defense buckled down in the fourth quarter and gave the offense a chance to come back. They forced a three-and-out and a turnover on downs on consecutive Tulsa possessions, and two Davis touchdown runs brought them within seven.

SMU had to stop Tulsa once more to have a chance to tie the game, but two ill-timed personal foul penalties allowed the Golden Hurricane to kick a field goal that put the game away with just over a minute left.

“It’s a hard one. It’s a game we could have won,” Mason said.

SMU returns home to face South Florida on Nov. 15, which is homecoming weekend.

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