It's a final: 37-20

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(Statistics, full PonyFans.com Game Report and PonyFans.com Player of the Game reports coming Sunday.)

At first glance, this game looks like it was closer than it really was. The final score was respectable, and Josh McCown finished with exceptional numbers (over 400 yards through the air, three passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown).

But this also was a game that featured a number of missed opportunities. Missed tackles by the SMU defense led to numerous long plays for the UTEP offense, including the two scoring passes to Lee Mays, the UTEP wide receiver who riddled the SMU secondary.

The SMU running game struggled, with McCown as the team's most dangerous rushing threat, in addition to his passing exploits.

On defense, three players stood out: Freshman safety Matt Rushbrook had a strong showing in his first collegiate game in his hometown of El Paso. Vic Viloria was his usual maniacal self, climbing off the bottom of most piles, and linebacker Brian Bischoff was everywhere, especially in the second half.

But while SMU fans can take some solace in the Mustangs' rally from the 30-7 deficit they faced and the gaudy statistics put up by the offense, poor execution - in terms of blocking, running, catching - caught up with the Ponies and helped UTEP earn its first win of the season.