TAKEAWAYS: SMU stays afloat in AAC race with blowout win

Everyone talks about Tulane, but the SMU Mustangs aren't slowing down

© Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Rhett Lashlee's squad marched to another easy win on Saturday with a 69-10 drubbing of Tulsa. The Mustangs maintain a share of the AAC lead with the victory. 

Here's how things escalated so quickly to the inflated final score.

Mustangs blow-up the scoreboard in the first half

It didn't take long for the 5-2 SMU Mustangs to to lead in this ballgame. In just the second play of the game, quarterback Preston Stone threw a 74-yard pass to wide receiver Romello Brinson for the touchdown. It was Brinson's longest career reception, giving SMU an early 7-0 lead.

On their second possession, the Mustangs offense drove down the field and running back Tyler Lavine capped it off with a one-yard rushing touchdown. Despite a Tulsa field goal after the touchdown, the Mustangs led the Golden Hurricane's, 14-3.

.@GodChildM3_'s longest career reception comes from our second play of the game! #PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/D1Eoh70e6c

— SMU Football (@SMUFB) October 28, 2023

In an equally quick fashion, the Mustangs would add on two more touchdowns in a matter of minutes. After driving down the field, running back Jaylan Knighton ran it in from 11 yards out, which put SMU up 21-3.

Right after Tulsa got the ball back, their drive was cut short due to an interception by Isaiah Nwokobia who took it all the way for a touchdown. SMU took a commanding 28-3 lead in just the first quarter of action.

Following a 42-yard field goal, Preston Stone threw a 62-yard pass to receiver RJ Maryland for a Mustangs touchdown, making it 38-3.

Followed by two more touchdowns, the Mustangs took a 52-3 lead entering halftime. SMU had 386 total yards of offense in just one half and they limited Tulsa to just 104 total yards of offense. A blowout was already in-store just two quarters into the game.

Preston Stone continues to succeed

After throwing for 300 yards, two touchdowns and completing 23 of 36 passes against the Temple Owls, Stone was even better against the Golden Hurricane. He threw for 371, had three touchdowns and completed 15 of 20 passes.

What worked well for this Mustangs' offense, and specifically Stone, was their chunk plays. Specifically, the 74-yard touchdown pass and then the 33-yard pass to RJ Maryland which set up the Mustangs for their second touchdown.

.@RJMaryland1 eats double coverage for breakfast. #PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/rNYBJZiQrB

— SMU Football (@SMUFB) October 28, 2023

Stone was taken out of the game with a couple of minutes left in the second quarter. He would finish with 15 completions on 20 attempts for 371 yards and three touchdowns. 

The Mustangs were able to get valuable reps for freshman Kevin Jennings and senior Alex Padilla throughout the remainder of the game.

The SMU offense totaled 638 yards, a season-high for them. 

Tulsa unable to get anything going

On top of giving up 45 points in just two quarters of action, the offense was unable to get anything going. Quarterback Braxton Braylon threw for 73 yards and two interceptions. Braxton was also sacked twice.

What's Next?

With the win, SMU now moves on to 6-2 on the season and 4-0 against the AAC. They will take on the Rice Owls. As for the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, they fall to 2-6 and go to 1-3 against the conference. They will take on the Charlotte 49ers next.