Recap: SMU falls to UCF, 41-19

SMU fell to UCF on the road, 41-19, Wednesday night as the Mustangs dropped to 2-3 on the year. The Mustangs didn’t score in the second half until the final play when Preston Stone scrambled in from one yard out.

SMU was outgained 484-476 and while both teams struggled on 3rd down and SMU led 26-19 in first downs, UCF capitalized on scoring opportunities and big plays. SMU kicked two field goals in the redzone when the game was on the line while UCF scored three touchdowns and a field goal on four redzone trips. UCF also scored two touchdowns on explosive plays.

Here’s the blow-by-blow recap of how Rhett Lashlee’s team lost in its AAC opener.

1st Quarter

SMU opened the game with the ball and was driving with two straight first downs via Rashee Rice receptions. On the second reception, Rice got drilled and fumbled, giving UCF the ball on its own 46.

UCF caught a break on its drive when Ar’mani Johnson dropped an interception. The Knights converted a 3rd and 7 on the next play to drive deep into SMU territory. SMU held to force a 4th and 2. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee converted the 4th down on a keeper to the SMU 25. The Mustangs held and Colton Boomer’s 41-yard field goal was good.

Beau Corrales caught a pass to get things going for SMU. The Mustangs converted a 4th down to extend their drive thanks a RJ Maryland catch. Running back Velton Gardner exploded up the middle for a 39-yard touchdown run to put the Mustangs up 7-3.

SMU’s defense turned right around and got a stop. The Mustangs took over at their own 29. Tre Siggers ripped off back-to-back runs to pick up a 1st down. SMU though stalled and UCF took over at its own 29. After the Knights tried a trick play, the Mustangs got a stop on 3rd and long to force a punt, taking over at their own 17.

Rice continued to star for SMU, catching 35 yards of passes on the drive as the 1st quarter ended. Mordecai found him for a gain of 13 on a 4th and 6 play to extend the drive after Corrales couldn’t come up with a touchdown catch. SMU ended the quarter at the UCF 20.

END Q1: SMU 7, UCF 3

2nd Quarter

SMU’s offense couldn’t pick up a 1st down and Collin Rogers made it a 10-3 Mustangs lead. The Mustangs gave up a 1st down before holding UCF, resulting in a punt and taking over at their own 20.

Camar Wheaton ripped off a gain of 7 to start the drive. Rice dropped a deep ball that would’ve been a 1st down, resulting in an SMU punt.

UCF took over at its own 30. Plumlee converted a 3rd down and just hit a big play to Kobe Hudson to the SMU 30. Plumlee hit Javon Baker to the SMU 3, a pickup of 25. Isaiah Bowser punched it in to tie the game at 10.

Moochie Dixon kick started the drive with a pickup of 25. Austin Upshaw added another big gain then Tre Siggers added a 1st down to the UCF 19. SMU faced a 3rd and 2, picking it up with a Siggers 1st down. SMU couldn’t punch it in from inside the 10, settling for a field goal.

SMU gave up a 1st down, but the defense rallied to force a stop. The Mustangs took over at their own 21. After SMU moved it to the UCF 45, Mordecai took a shot at the Hail Mary, but couldn’t come up with the score. UCF intercepted his pass. The Mustangs led at the half, 13-10.

3rd Quarter

UCF went right down the field to open the 2nd half, scoring on a 1-yard Bowser run. Baker took a pass 51 yards from Plumlee to set up the score. UCF made it 17-13 in just 1:39.

SMU went 4-and out on the next drive, failing to pick up a 4th and 1. UCF took over, but SMU was able to hold and forced a punt. The Mustangs started at their own 2.

The Mustangs got out of the shadow of their goal line with two pass interference calls on UCF, moving the ball to the 36. SMU was able to move the ball out to midfield, but holding penalties killed the drive. UCF takes over at its own 25.

UCF marched down the field running the ball. It was Plumlee who found Ryan O’Keefe though for a 26-yard TD to cap the drive. SMU trails, 24-13.

SMU went down the field to get into the redzone, but once again, couldn’t punch it in. Mordecai looked to Dixon and Rice on 3rd and 3 and 4th and 3, but couldn’t connect.

4th Quarter

UCF took the ball and marched back to the SMU 39, bringing up a 4th and 8. UCF took the delay of game call and punted it away. The Mustangs took over at their own 4. Mordecai was sacked for a safety, putting the Mustangs down 26-13.

SMU kicked off and O’Keefe took a jet sweep 58 yards for a touchdown. After the 2-point try, UCF led 34-13. SMU threatened on multiple drives, but drops forced SMU to turn it over on downs. UCF scored to make it 41-13 with 5:27 to go.

Preston Stone saw action late in the game, moving the Mustangs up the field a bit. He capped the game with a touchdown run on the final play, bringing the final to 41-19, UCF.

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