SMU Stages Thrilling Fourth-Quarter Comeback to Edge Nevada in Season Opener

Eric Boggs August 25, 2024

Southern Methodist University (SMU) kicked off their inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with a heart-stopping 29-24 victory over Nevada on Saturday night. Despite entering the game as heavy favorites, the Mustangs needed a late rally to avoid a stunning upset in front of their home crowd.

Trailing 24-13 with just ten minutes remaining, SMU found themselves pinned deep in their own territory at their 10-yard line. Struggling to find rhythm for most of the game, quarterback Preston Stone and the Mustangs’ offense needed a spark. That spark came in the form of a crucial 49-yard connection from Stone to tight end RJ Maryland on a third-down play, setting the stage for a remarkable comeback.

SMU capped off that drive with a 4-yard touchdown run by Brashard Smith, followed by a successful two-point conversion, narrowing the deficit to 24-21. Nevada’s next possession ended in disaster as SMU defensive lineman Anthony Booker Jr. sacked Wolf Pack quarterback Brendon Lewis in the end zone for a safety, bringing SMU within a single point.

With momentum firmly on their side, the Mustangs embarked on a decisive nine-play, 83-yard drive with just over three minutes remaining. Stone found Maryland once again, this time for a 35-yard touchdown, putting SMU ahead 29-24 with just 1:18 left on the clock. The 6-foot-4 junior tight end, and son of former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Russell Maryland, finished the game with eight receptions for 162 yards.

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“We struggled in the first half, but the defense kept us in it,” Stone said after the game. “Nevada played man coverage against RJ, and that was a mistake.”

SMU’s victory was marred by penalties that forced them to play from behind for most of the contest. The Mustangs committed 11 penalties for 125 yards, including an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for spitting, which led to the ejection of cornerback Brandon Crossley in the third quarter. Head coach Rhett Lashlee acknowledged the team’s lack of discipline, stating, “It’s not who we are and who we want to be. We’ll address anything out of character.”

Despite the loss, Nevada put up a strong fight under first-year head coach Jeff Choate. Lewis led the Wolf Pack with 132 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an additional 77 rushing yards, proving to be a dual-threat throughout the game. “I give a lot of credit to SMU,” Choate said. “They showed why they’re a championship-caliber team. There are positives for our guys, but we have strides to make in terms of competitive maturity.”

Nevada initially jumped out to a 17-10 halftime lead, with Lewis connecting on touchdown passes to tight end Jace Henry and wide receiver Cortez Braham Jr. However, SMU’s resilience in the fourth quarter proved too much for the Wolf Pack, as the Mustangs secured a victory that tested their mettle right out of the gate.