Almost two years after their last encounter in the New Mexico Bowl, the BYU Cougars once again emerged victorious over the SMU Mustangs. This time, it was a low-scoring, gritty 18-15 affair that played out at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. Much has changed since their last meeting, with BYU joining the Big 12 and SMU now representing the ACC. Despite the conference shifts, BYU extended their early-season unbeaten run to 2-0 while snapping SMU’s 10-game regular season winning streak. For SMU, now 2-1, the loss revealed cracks in their red zone efficiency that ultimately cost them the game.
The Story of the Game: A Gritty Defensive Battle
Both teams entered the game with contrasting momentum. SMU, coming off two strong performances, was riding high on a 10-game regular season winning streak and aimed to continue their dominance under head coach Rhett Lashlee. On the other side, BYU had shown resilience early in the season, and head coach Kalani Sitake stressed the importance of grit as his team faced their first major road test.
From the outset, the game took on a defensive tone, with both offenses struggling to find rhythm. SMU’s unique rotating quarterback system, which had been effective in previous games, stumbled early on. Preston Stone started the game but found little success, being sacked multiple times and leading his team to a series of three-and-outs. SMU soon turned to backup quarterback Kevin Jennings, who gave the Mustangs a spark, guiding them to multiple scoring opportunities. However, the Mustangs failed to reach the end zone throughout the night, a theme that would haunt them until the final whistle.
BYU’s defense, led by standout linebacker Isaiah Glasker, rose to the occasion, holding SMU to five field goals and preventing any touchdowns. Despite facing multiple drives deep in their own territory, the Cougars consistently bent but didn’t break, showcasing remarkable resilience. SMU reached the red zone five times during the game but came away with points on only two of those drives, both resulting in field goals by Collin Rogers, who set an SMU record with five made field goals in a single game.
Missed Opportunities Haunt SMU
SMU’s offensive struggles were epitomized by their inability to capitalize in the red zone. Throughout the night, the Mustangs moved the ball effectively between the 20s but repeatedly faltered near the goal line. Head coach Rhett Lashlee reflected on the missed chances, acknowledging that while the team played hard, they didn’t execute when it mattered most.
“We had our chances,” Lashlee said. “I’m proud of our kids. They played their guts out. I just didn’t do a good enough job of pushing us through and winning the game, and that’s my job.”
A crucial moment came in the fourth quarter with SMU trailing 15-12. The Mustangs put together a promising drive that brought them to the BYU 20-yard line. However, Jennings, who had been the more effective quarterback of the two, threw a costly interception in the red zone, seeking tight end Matthew Hibner. BYU cornerback Marque Collins made a toe-tapping pick to thwart the drive, denying the Mustangs a go-ahead score.
SMU had another golden opportunity just minutes later when BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff was intercepted by defensive tackle Jared Harrison-Hunte, whose 13-yard return brought the ball within three yards of the end zone. Yet, SMU’s offense sputtered once again. A holding call and a botched wildcat play that resulted in a fumble erased their best chance at taking the lead.
The Mustangs’ inability to finish drives proved to be the difference. Despite moving the ball effectively on eight of their 10 drives, SMU either settled for field goals or came up empty-handed. Their offensive woes were compounded by the fact that they were playing with a patchwork quarterback rotation, which Lashlee admitted might not have been ideal.
BYU Finds a Way to Win
While SMU struggled to convert opportunities into touchdowns, BYU made the most of their few chances. After scoring an early touchdown on a 17-yard pass from Jake Retzlaff to tight end Mata’ava Ta’ase, the Cougars found themselves in an offensive drought, failing to score on eight consecutive drives. BYU’s offense suffered through a nightmarish stretch that included turnovers and a missed field goal. Yet, their defense kept them in the game, and in the third quarter, the Cougars capitalized on a 9-yard touchdown run by Enoch Nawahine to take a 15-12 lead, thanks to a successful two-point conversion.
The turning point came late in the fourth quarter. Tied at 15 with just under two minutes remaining, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake made a gutsy call on 4th and 1 from his own 48-yard line. Retzlaff pitched the ball to third-string running back Miles Davis, who broke free for a 37-yard gain, putting BYU in position for the game-winning field goal. Kicker Will Ferrin nailed the 26-yard attempt, putting the Cougars ahead 18-15.
SMU had one last chance to either tie or take the lead, but Jennings’ four consecutive incompletions sealed the Mustangs’ fate. As the clock wound down, BYU’s players celebrated on the field, while SMU walked off dejected, knowing they had let multiple opportunities slip away.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
For SMU, the loss stings but offers valuable lessons as they head into a bye week. Lashlee acknowledged the difficulty of their upcoming ACC schedule, where every game will likely be a grind.
“It’s hard to win,” Lashlee said. “Every game we play this year, for us to win, is gonna be similar to this. Maybe it’s 18-15. Maybe it’s 38-35. It doesn’t matter. It’s gonna be tight. It’s gonna be close.”
With a tough matchup against Big 12 rival TCU looming after their bye, SMU must regroup and find answers for their red zone inefficiencies.
For BYU, the victory marks their second win over ACC competition in just three weeks. The Cougars have shown they can overcome adversity, with head coach Kalani Sitake praising his team’s resilience after the game.
“I like the way we found a way to win this game,” Sitake said. “In the past, we’ve been down or had turnovers, and guys hung their heads. Now, the guys are fighting through and not giving up.”
BYU’s defense, which has been the cornerstone of their early success, will need to continue stepping up as the Cougars navigate a challenging Big 12 schedule. But if this win over SMU is any indication, BYU has the grit and determination to compete at a high level throughout the season.
