Nov. 7, 2009

Final Stats | Notes

DALLAS (AP) - Shawnbrey McNeal rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns to lift SMU to a 31-28 win over Rice Saturday afternoon.

The Mustangs (5-4, 4-1 Conference USA) blocked three kicks. After Sterling Moore blocked one as time expired in the first half, Bryan McCann returned the ball 74 yards for a score, giving SMU a 21-20 halftime lead and helping SMU erase a 13-point first-half deficit.

Defensive end Margus Hunt blocked an extra point attempt and a field goal attempt by Rice (0-9, 0-5). Hunt now has six blocked kicks on the season (3 PATs, 3 FGs), setting the SMU season record for blocked kicks (previous mark was four by Chad Patton, 1992 (1 FG, 2 PATs, 1 punt)). His six season blocks tie for fifth in NCAA history for a season (record is 8 by three different players). This is the second time Hunt has two blocked kicks in a game.

McNeal scored on a 9-yard run in the fourth to give SMU a 31-20 lead. Rice narrowed the SMU lead to 31-28 with 1:47 left when Nick Fanuzzi threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Toren Dixon and the Owls converted the 2-point conversion, but Bradley Haynes recovered the onside kick attempt and SMU held on for the win.

Mustang quarterback Kyle Padron finished 17 of 24 for 234 yards and one touchdown.

SMU is now 4-1 in C-USA, the best league start since going 4-1 to start the 1986 SWC slate.