The SMU Mustangs put their season-opening loss to Texas A&M behind them with a 28-17 victory over Conference USA foe UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) on Saturday, September 10. J.J. McDermott won his first game as the starting quarterback for SMU.

Running back Zach Line was a force on the field, rushing for 114 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns. Former starting quarterback Kyle Padron took two snaps and scored a touchdown on a 12-yard run. The leading receiver was Cole Beasley with 10 catches for 99 yards.

The SMU defense was aggressive from the onset and recorded six sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. UTEP quarterback Nick Lamaison left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder separation and his replacement, Jay Hall, was stripped of the ball in the end zone with just over two minutes left in the game; SMU recovered the ball for a touchdown to seal the victory.

The game was played a day before the 10-year anniversary of September 11 and the SMU Mustang Band played a fitting halftime show in honor of the U.S. military and the people lost on 9/11. The band played songs honoring the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines before ending the show in an American flag formation.

The Mustangs play their next game at home against Northwestern State University at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 17. The game also falls on Family Weekend, so join your students on the Boulevard and Ford Stadium to see what all the fuss is about.