Post Game Recap: Mustangs rally late in Reno, score 16 unanswered in the 4th

SMU Mustangs secure a come from behind 29-24 season-opening victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack.

Ali Jawad | Aug 25, 2024

JASON BEAN/RGJ / USA TODAY NETWORK

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SMU Mustangs

In a thrilling season opener for the SMU Mustangs, they narrowly escaped an upset against the Nevada Wolf Pack with a final score of 29-24. The Mustangs entered the fourth quarter trailing 24-13, but a dramatic fourth-quarter rally secured the win.

Adding to the drama of the early stages, SMU quarterback Preston Stone, making his much-anticipated return after a late season-ending leg injury in 2023, faced an uphill battle from the get-go. His first pass attempt was intercepted by Nevada's Chad Brown.

Stone started the game 3-10, throwing for only 41 yards before being replaced by backup Kevin Jennings, who led the Mustangs to an AAC title last season following Stone's injury.

Stone returned in the second half and ultimately finished 17-30 for 254 yards with one touchdown and one interception, fueling a Mustang comeback.

Tight end RJ Maryland paced the Mustangs' receiving corps, hauling in 8 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown. Newcomer running back Brashrad Smith led the ground game with 67 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.

Here is a recap of Saturday nights action from Mackay Stadium.

Nevada drew first blood in the late stages of the first quarter, with quarterback Brendon Lewis finding tight end Jace Henry in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown pass as the Wolf Pack took an early 7-0 lead.

SMU answered the call in the second quarter, as running back LJ Johnson punched it in from the 1-yard line to knot the score at 7-7.

Nevada extended their lead in the second quarter as kicker Matthew Killam booted a 36-yard field goal through the uprights. However, SMU's Collin Rogers answered with an impressive career-long 52-yard field goal, leveling the score at 10-10.

When the teams seemed to head into halftime tied, the Wolf Pack struck again. With mere seconds remaining on the clock, Brendon Lewis connected with wide receiver Cortez Braham Jr. on a 10-yard touchdown pass, sending Nevada into the break with a 17-10 advantage.

The third quarter saw Collin Rogers continued his impressive kicking performance, nailing a 43-yard field goal to narrow Nevada's lead to 17-13. The Wolf Pack, however, refused to let the Mustangs gain any further ground.

Lewis led the offense on a methodical, clock-chewing 15-play, 83-yard drive that consumed 8:50 off the clock and culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Savion Red. This crucial score extended Nevada's advantage to 24-13 as the teams entered the final quarter.

SMU scored two TDs in the fouth quarter to avoid the upset against Nevada 😳

(📸 @SMUFB @Nevadafootball) pic.twitter.com/2oZlVKKyRJ
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 25, 2024

The adage "it's not how you start, but how you finish" proved prophetic in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs staged a thrilling comeback, scoring 16 unanswered points to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The surge began with Brashard Smith's 4-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful two-point conversion by Johnson Jr., closing the gap to 24-21. An Anthony Booker Jr. safety further tightened the score to 24-23, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

With the game on the line, Preston Stone connected with RJ Maryland on a go ahead 34-yard touchdown pass that ultimately ended up as the game winner.

nobody will remember:
- your salary
- how "busy you were"
- how many hours you worked

people will remember:
- this#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/f4zN7QsraD
— SMU Football (@SMUFB) August 25, 2024

Although the two-point conversion attempt failed to make it a seven point game, SMU held on to secure a 29-24 win.

Nevada came out strong, dominating the game's early stages thanks to some misuces by the Mustangs along with a combination of offensive firepower and timely defensive stops. However, SMU refused to back down, staging a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs' relentless pursuit of victory, fueled by key plays on both sides, ultimately tipped the scales in their favor. A combination of clutch touchdowns, a crucial safety, and a game-winning pass secured a hard-fought 29-24 win for SMU.