BYU Takes Down SMU Behind Late Field Goal, Defensive Stand

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The BYU Cougars (2-0) traveled to Dallas, went into a hostile environment, and beat the SMU Mustangs (2-1) 18-15 on Sept. 6. The offenses for both teams were super sloppy and the defenses both showed out as they both came up with several turnovers.

Both teams' offenses were supposed to be the deciding factor in this game, but that was not the case and this one was a low-scoring affair.

Game Summary

For the Mustangs, they started Preston Stone at quarterback in this one. But every drive he was in for, he looked abysmal and was pressured constantly by the Cougars' defense. When backup Kevin Jennings had his turn, the offense looked slightly better than when Stone was at the helm.

As for the Cougars on offense, quarterback Jake Retzlaff was not much better as he threw 2 interceptions in the game and his completion percentage was barely above 50%.

The Cougars had the ball with 6:17 to go as the Mustangs had just tied the score at 15 with a 45-yard field goal from kicker Collin Rogers.

The Cougars took 4:19 off the clock on this drive and kicker Will Ferris made a 26-yard field goal to put the Cougars ahead and they never looked back.

Turning Point: SMU

The turning point for the Mustangs was early in the fourth quarter when running back Brashard Smith fumbled the ball on the Cougars' 8-yard line.

The Mustangs' offense looked sloppy as a whole in this game as they threw an interception and lost this crucial fumble.

This drive in the red zone was the chance that the Mustangs had to gain momentum and put a touchdown on the board. But the drive cost them this game.

On the Mustangs' final drive of the game at the 1:58 mark of the fourth quarter, they started with the ball on their own 40-yard line and Jennings threw four straight incompletions to ice it.

What It Means for Each Team

Even though it was a sloppy game for both sides, this was a crucial road win for BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. The Cougars improve to 2-0 as they head to Wyoming to take on the Cowboys on Sept. 14 in Week 3. Sitake should be happy with his defense and feel confident that they can create turnovers all year long.

For the Mustangs, this is a brutal loss. They had several opportunities to put a touchdown on the board and put this one away, but did not. Head coach Rhett Lashlee has a decision to make at quarterback when TCU travels across the Metroplex to play at SMU on Sept. 21 in Week 4.