SMU 2024 Recap

It’s Friday night lights for this game between BYU and SMU. This is the fifth meeting between these two schools. BYU holds a perfect 4-0 record. BYU beat SMU in the New Mexico Bowl in 2022.

The Game

The game is being played in Dallas, Texas, and the last time BYU played here was in 1977 when SMU was part of the WAC. Can BYU make it to 5-0? That is the question.

1st Quarter

It seemed like it was all BYU. SMU had negative yardage for most of the first quarter. Stone started as quarterback for the Mustangs. That was short-lived, and Jennings came in, and the game changed for SMU.

It was an excellent 1st quarter.

BYU 7

SMU 0

2nd Quarter

BYU started deep on their side of the field. SMU came out and stopped BYU on two series. Jennings changed the game. SMU did kick a field goal.

SMU brought Stone out as the QB, but they didn’t go anywhere. Jennings came in and moved the ball, and they kicked another field goal.

Retzlaff, BYU’s quarterback, isn’t doing well right now. Something is going on with him this game. They fumbled in the first quarter, missed a snap, for it back, and threw it out of bounds.

BYU punted it away, but it touched an SMU player, and the ball was back in SMU territory. They went for it on 4th and 1, but BYU did a shotgun, which didn’t go very well.

SMU kicked 3 FG in the 2nd quarter to take the lead going into halftime. BYU missed a 54-yard FG.

BYU 7

SMU 9

1st half recap

BYU came out and played well, and it looked like BYU was back to playing like they should. However, SMU’s change in quarterback changed the pace of the game.

Questions for the 2nd half:

Will SMU stick with Jennings?

Will BYU come out and start to move the ball?

3rd Quarter

BYU came out, and the OB threw an int on the opening drive. But BYU held SMU to only a field goal. BYU Scored a touchdown and a 2-point conversion.

BYU 15

SMU 12

4th Quarter

BYU started the game with an interception. Then, BYU started to move the ball, but he threw a pick, his second one of the game. SMU turned around and fumbled it.

SMU kicked a field goal to tie the game at 15. BYU went down the field and kicked a field goal to make it 18 to 15. SMU had one more chance to kick a field goal or score a touchdown, but they went out on downs.

BYU 18

SMU 15

Statics

BYU	Stat	SMU
336	Total Yards	261
202	Passing Yards	144
134	Rushing Yards	117
5.3	Yards per play	3.6
16	First Downs	18
2/13	3rd Down efficiency	3/16
2/3	4th Down efficiently	2/4
5 (45)	Penalties (Yards)	7 (69)
64	Total Plays	72
6	Punts	4
1	Fumbles lost	2
2	Interceptions Thrown	1
30:53	Time of Possession	29:07

My Thoughts

The game was good and physical for both sides. The defense was where the game was tonight. If you look at the stats, it is pretty close, except for the passing yards. But BYU made it through the game and won.

I only wish I could have been there.