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Overreacting to just one game can be dangerous. However, fans and experts may want to rethink taking SMU as a popular sleeper pick in its first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference after the Mustangs struggled their way to a 29-24 win against Mountain West Conference bottom-feeder Nevada in Reno on Aug. 24.
A win is a win, but SMU came out flat and did not look like the contender it was a season ago for much of the game against a Nevada team that has won just four total games over the last two seasons.
SMU-Nevada Game Summary
Penalties plagued SMU all night as the Mustangs committed 11 infractions for 125 yards, many of which halted their own drives or gave new life to Nevada.
The Mustangs' dynamic offense looked pedestrian at best in the first half, gaining just 112 yards and scoring 10 points. As Preston Stone struggled to establish a rhythm at quarterback, the Mustang defense did its best to keep the reigning American Athletic Conference champs in control.
Backup quarterback Kevin Jennings seemed to gel better with the offense in the first half, but Stone found his rhythm in the second half, going 14-of-20 and reestablishing his connection with standout tight end RJ Maryland. Maryland had just two targets and no catches in the first half yet finished the game with 8 catches for 162 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown.
Meanwhile, Nevada's defense came to play, particularly in the first half as it routinely stuck to SMU's receivers and held its running game to just 33 yards.
The Wolf Pack's passing offense, which only scored six times in 2023, did so twice in the first half. After a snap through the hands of SMU punter Isaac Pearson gave Nevada the ball at the SMU 9, quarterback Brendon Lewis connected with tight end Jace Henry for a 5-yard score and an early 7-0 lead. Lewis also hit wide receiver Cortez Braham Jr. for a touchdown just before halftime to negate any momentum SMU had started to build.
The senior quarterback gave SMU all it could handle, accounting for 209 yards of offense and 2 touchdowns. However, he had less of an impact in the second half, and SMU was able to take advantage and pull out the win.
The Mustangs scored 16 points in the 4th quarter to avoid an 0-1 nightmare.
Turning Point
SMU seemed like it was down and out after missing a field goal to start the final quarter, but the Mustangs never quit. Trailing by 11 points in the shadow of their own goal line, Stone unleashed a deep ball to Maryland for a 49-yard gain. The play helped SMU sustain its drive, and running back Brashard Smith scored a few plays later to cut the deficit to five.
The Mustangs also converted the two-point conversion on a run by LJ Johnson and got a bit of luck as Nevada muffed the ensuing kickoff and had to begin its next possession on its own 1-yard line.
Two plays later, Miami Hurricane transfer Jahfari Harvey burst through the line of scrimmage and pulled Texas transfer Savion Red to the ground for a safety. Stone completed a 35-yard touchdown strike to Maryland on the following possession, and Nevada's attempt to answer ended with a fourth-down pass out-of-bounds.
What It Means
SMU started the season and its new era of ACC football with a win, but it wasn't pretty. The Mustangs looked much more like their 2023 selves in the second half and will have to build on that as the season progresses. They have what should be an easy game against Houston Christian next week before the schedule ramps up with games against BYU, TCU, Florida State, Louisville and others.
Nevada fought hard but came out on the wrong side of the final result. First-year head coach Jeff Choate found something with his running game and with his quarterback. Plus, the defense held what is expected to be one of the most potent offenses in college football in check for most of the game. Still, Nevada has an uphill battle as the projected last-place team in the MWC. The Wolf Pack will play a couple of Group of 5 teams over the next two weeks before taking on another power program in Minnesota on Sept. 14.
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