Nov. 17, 2007
Final Stats | Notes
DALLAS - Phil Bennett, in his sixth season with the Mustangs, coached his final home game on Saturday as SMU fell, 49-20, to visiting UCF.
Bennett's home finale got off to a rocky start as UCF's Khymest Williams returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Kevin Smith's 22-yard TD run gave UCF a 14-3 lead midway through the first and he added an 80-yard touchdown run just before halftime.
SMU quarterback Justin Willis threw for 112 yards and was intercepted twice.
The Knights built their lead to 42-13 when Johnell Neal picked off a Willis pass and returned it 72 yards for a score. Phillip Smith, who had a 7-yard TD run in the first half, gave UCF a 49-13 cushion in the third with a 10-yard scoring run.
SMU's Chris Butler scored on a 1-yard run and Zach Rhodes added a receiving touchdown.
UCF (8-3, 6-1 Conference USA) clinched at least a share of the East Division with the win and can host the league championship game with a victory next week against UTEP.
The Mustangs play their final game next weekend at Memphis.
