DALLAS, TEXAS -- Kelan Luker's fumble in the end zone was recovered for a touchdown by NC State's George Anderson with 3:32 to play, lifting the Wolfpack to a hard-fought 26-17 victory over SMU on Saturday night before 19,522 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

"I am so proud of our guys effort tonight," said SMU head coach Mike Cavan. "I thought the kids played really hard but we made a couple of mistakes that ultimately cost us the game. That play at the end was one of them."

The Mustangs dominated the first half and led 17-16 after Luker hit Chris Cunningham with a 32-yard touchdown pass with 14:10 remaining in the game. NC State responded with a 24-yard Adam Herbert field goal with 7:21 left to take the lead for good at 19-17.

On its next possession, SMU faced a fourth-and-one from its own 20 yard with 5:23 to go and went for it. The Mustangs picked up the first down when Cunningham ran 12 yards on a reverse. On the next play though, Luker was intercepted by Brian Williams after intended receiver Trey Griffin fell down.

The Mustang defense forced a three-and-out and SMU took over at its own 13-yard line with 3:39 to go. On the first play from scrimmage, Luker was pressured and was trying to throw the ball away as he was being sacked but his throw was a lateral and Anderson recovered for the TD.

"They had a hold of me and I was just trying to get rid of the ball," Luker said. "The play was designed to go to Keylon (Kincade) but they tackled him as he was coming out of the backfield. This is a the worst way to lose. We were right there."

After outgaining NC State 202-92 in the first half and holding the Wolfpack without a first down until 8:30 remained in the second quarter, SMU led 10-7 at intermission behind Jacob Crowley's 36-yard field goal and a 14-yard TD pass from Luker to John Hampton. The lead could have been larger but the Mustangs missed two good scoring opportunities. SMU's second drive ended when Kincade lost a fumble inside the NC State 30-yard line then Jacob Crowley had a 42-yard field goal blocked.

The Mustangs held its third straight opponent to less than 300 yards of total offense, as NC State managed 288 yards. SMU had 316 yards of offense, including a season-high 165 on the ground.

Kincade led the Mustangs with a career-best 93 yards on 16 carries while Kris Briggs added 80 yards on 18 carries.