SMU Escapes Texas State, 31-24

It’s football in the time of covid and we got a nail biter in San Marcos as the visiting Southern Methodist Mustangs edged out the Bobcats of Texas State.

A depleted Bobcats roster took the powerful Mustangs (who were favored by three touchdowns) to the brink on a nationally televised game. It was hot potato all afternoon but Coach Sonny Dykes’ squad came out on top and showed why they are a big time threat in the AAC.

SMU quarterback Shane Buechele threw for 367 yards and a touchdown. TJ McDaniel ran for 130 yards and a score, prevailing in the face of adversity.

First Half

Texas State’s first drive started out disastrous. After a sack and a botched snap, running back Brock Sturges ran for a first down on 3rd and 20. But a Alan Orona field goal shanked to the right Florida State style.

The first quarter was a defensive struggle, going back and forth as both offenses struggled in the face of each defense.

10:56 into the second Ulysses Bentley IV scored from six yards out on the ground after a controversial catch the play before.

A couple of drives later Texas State put together a drive to threaten the SMU lead. It all culminated into a Brock “Lesnar” Sturges four yard scamper to tie the game.

Bentley then scored from 12 on the next drive to give the Mustangs the one score lead.

With the first half closing, Texas State answerd with the catch of the year when Jeremiah Haydel one hands a touchdown catch OBJ-style from three yards out to tie the game at the half, 14-14.

Second Half

SMU came out firing on all cylinders as Bobcat killer TJ McDaniel scored from nine yards out for his fourth career touchdown against Texas State and breaking the tie.

Six minutes later Bobcat receiver Chandler Speights snagged a 19 yard touchdown while getting hit, bringing the game to a 21 all tie.

Late in the third Reggie Roberson Jr (who is a potential early round draft pick) caught a 51 yard Buechele toss to bring the SMU lead to 28-21.

The fourth quarter mimicked the first quarter as turnovers and miscues plagued both teams.

After a failed fourth down conversion the Mustangs got a 32 yard field goal from Chris Naggar to take a two score lead.

After some blown opportunities, the Bobcats hit a 47 yard field goal to cut the lead to 31-24. But an onside kick was recovered by the ‘Stangs as SMU prevailed.

Memphis transfer Brady McBride showed shades of Brett Favre going 21/39 for 227 yards with two touchdowns and a pick in his Texas State debut. McBride was aggressive and gambled more than any Bobcat signal caller ever, blowing a breath of fresh air through San Marcos.

Rashee Rice caught 101 yards off just five catches as he torched Texas State’s secondary.

Kordell Rodgers had his third career interception and Grid Isidore Jr had a pick as well for Texas State as the defense kept the Bobcats in the game all afternoon.

Up next for SMU is a showdown with North Texas on the 19th and Texas State will face off against their arch rival UTSA next Saturday.