SUNDAY'S DMN: MUSTANGS GET IT ALL TOGETHER

[MrMustang1965]

UNIVERSITY PARK – SMU cruised into the end zone on its first two drives Saturday night.

Forget the offense's next-to-last national rank and the team's school-record 15-game losing streak. Forget the two touchdowns – total – in the first three games.

This was San Jose State – the only team picked by the media to finish below SMU in the Western Athletic Conference. For the first time this season, the Mustangs' offense wasn't overmatched, and SMU (1-3, 1-0) went on to roll up a 36-13 victory at Ford Stadium.

SMU put up three touchdowns in the first half – including its first passing touchdown of the season – and two in the second half.

SMU's 389 yards of total offense (212 rushing, 177 passing) were its most this season. The 36 points were the most since scoring 42 against UT-El Paso in 2002.

"If they score 36 points, I'm really happy," SMU coach Phil Bennett said. He then joked, "Most of the time I can keep them at 35."

With starting quarterback Chris Phillips out with a strained rotator cuff, junior college transfers Tony Eckert and Jerad Romo played. Both made a difference.

Eckert started and went 8-of-15 for 91 yards and one rushing and one passing touchdown. Romo was 4-of-7 for 52 yards and one touchdown. He also caught a scoring pass and ran for 69 yards.

"We made a lot of strides today," Eckert said. "We still have a lot of work to do."

Running back Foy Munlin finished with 114 yards on 16 carries, including a 32-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Chris Foster had five catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

"When you see yourself make plays, your expectancy becomes a little different," Bennett said. "I don't care who it's against."

The first two drives set the tone for the game. Fueled by Munlin's running, SMU rang up five first downs on the first drive. Eckert capped it with a 1-yard run, the first time the Mustangs got a touchdown on an opening drive since 2002 and their first first-half touchdown this season.

SMU scored again after converting on four third downs. Eckert hit Foster over the defense for a 5 yards and the Mustangs' first passing touchdown of the season.

SMU added another touchdown before halftime when Romo and receiver Matt Rushbrook played a little give-and-go. Romo flipped the ball to Rushbrook, who then launched a 14-yard pass to Romo in the end zone.

SMU topped it all off with Munlin's 32-yard run and Foster's 34-yard reception from Romo in the fourth quarter.

"We've struggled just getting in the end zone," Bennett said.

The game ended with a simple but significant play for the beleaguered SMU offense. Scout team quarterback Ashton Nixon kneeled down to run out the clock.

A victory play.