Box Score | Postgame Notes
GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Holton Ahlers threw for four first-half touchdowns and East Carolina held off SMU's second-half rally for a 52-38 victory on Saturday.
ECU (3-6, 3-5 American) scored a touchdown on its first six possessions of the game, and closed the half with a short field goal for a 45-7 lead.
Ahlers was 11-of-17 passing for 158 yards in the first half. WR Tyler Snead also had a passing touchdown on a reverse and Keaton Mitchell rushed for 57 yards and a score.
SMU (7-3, 4-3) battled back in the second half with four touchdowns. Shane Buechele scored on a QB sneak and later connected with Ulysses Bentley IV as the Mustangs scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter.
But Darius Pinnix Jr. sealed it by capping a five-play, 75-yard drive with a short TD run for a 52-24 lead early in the fourth.
Ahlers finished with 298 yards passing, while Buechele was 35 of 50 for 314 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
SMU Postgame Notes – November 28, 2020
ECU 52, [rv/rv] SMU 38
ECU (3-6, 3-5 American), SMU (7-3, 4-3 American)
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium – Greenville, N.C.
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NEXT GAME
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Houston – Saturday, December 5 – TBD – Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas (Senior Day)
TV: TBD
Radio: KTCK The Ticket 96.7 FM/1310 AM | TuneIn app | SMU Mobile App
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TEAM NOTES
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Captains: Shane Buechele (#7, QB, Sr.),
Reggie Roberson, Jr. (#8, WR, Sr.),
Hayden Howerton (#75, OL, Sr.),
Delano Robinson (#3, LB, Sr.),
Brandon Stephens (#23, CB, Sr.)
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SMU is 7-3
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The Mustangs had 3 rushing TDs (have 24 this season)
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| RUSHING TDs |
|
|
| 1 |
2019 |
|
35 |
| 2 |
1981 |
|
33 |
| 3 |
1984 |
|
28 |
| 4 |
1985 |
|
27 |
| 5 |
1982 |
|
26 |
|
1973 |
|
26 |
|
2017 |
|
26 |
| 8 |
2011 |
|
25 |
| 9 |
2020 |
|
24 |
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The Mustangs had 2 takeaways (2 fumbles)
- Had at least one takeaway in 11 of the past 12 games and straight games and 31 of past 34 games
- Fumble Recoveries: Terry Keys III, Terrance Newman
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SMU had 3 sacks and 7 TFLs, now has 26 sacks and 76 TFLs on the season
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SMU was 5-5 in the red zone (Now 46-50 for the season; 32 TDs, 14 FGs)
- Has been perfect in 7 games this season
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Series History: SMU is 4-5 vs ECU
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SMU Radio Network Highlights
https://soundcloud.com/user-274538678/sets/2020-11-28-ecu-52-smu-38
- Rich Phillips (PxP), Scott Garner (Analyst)
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Head Coach
Sonny Dykes postgame
https://soundcloud.com/user-274538678/2020-11-28-sonny-dykes-postgame
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SMU INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
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Ulysses Bentley IV (#26, RB, Fr.) – CFPA Watch List, Doak Walker Award Watch List, FWAA Freshman All-American Watch List
- 12-36 rushing
- 4-41 receiving with a TD
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| SMU FRESHMAN RUSHING YARDS |
| 1 |
Jeff Atkins, 1983 |
|
937 |
| 2 |
Ulysses Bentley IV, 2020 |
913 |
| 3 |
Wayne Morris, 1972 |
|
884 |
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Shane Buechele (#7, QB, Sr.) – Maxwell Award Watch List, Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, Manning Award Watch List, Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, CFPA Watch List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, Johnny Unitas Gold Arm Award Watch List
- 35-50 passing for 314 yards and 2 TDs and was 9-0 rushing with a TD
- Multiple passing TDs in 18 of the past 22 games
- 87 career TD passes, 57 TD passes at SMU (2nd career at SMU)
- 2nd rushing TD this season
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| SMU CAREER COMPLETIONS |
|
|
| 1 |
Ben Hicks, 2016-18 |
|
718 |
| 2 |
Chuck Hixson, 1968-70 |
642 |
| 3 |
Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13 |
603 |
| 4 |
Mike Romo, 1989-92 |
|
601 |
| 6 |
Shane Buechele, 2019- |
549 |
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| SEASON PASSING YARDS |
|
| 1 |
Shane Buechele, 2019 |
3929 |
| 2 |
Kyle Padron, 2010 |
|
3828 |
| 3 |
Ben Hicks, 2017 |
|
3569 |
| 4 |
Garrett Gilbert, 2013 |
|
3528 |
| 5 |
J.J. McDermott, 2011 |
3421 |
| 6 |
Chuck Hixson, 1968 |
|
3103 |
| 7 |
Shane Buechele, 2020 |
3095 |
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Kylen Granson (#83, TE, Sr.) - Biletnikoff Award Watch List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
- 3-27 receiving with a TD
- Extends SMU career record for receiving TDs by a tight end (14)
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| SMU CAREER RECEIVING YARDS - TIGHT ENDS |
| 1 |
John Hampton, 2000-02 |
|
1485 |
| 2 |
Kylen Granson, 2019- |
|
1257 |
|
|
|
|
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Chris Naggar (#34, K, Sr.) – Ray Guy Award Watch List
- 1-1 FGs (36) now 17-21 on the season (17 FGM is 5th in a season at SMU)
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| SMU SEASON FG MADE |
|
|
FG |
| 1 |
Chase Hover, 2013 |
|
|
18 |
|
Chase Hover, 2012 |
|
|
18 |
|
Chris McMurtray, 2005 |
|
18 |
|
Eddie Garcia, 1981 |
|
|
18 |
| 5 |
Josh Williams, 2016 |
|
|
17 |
|
Chris Naggar, 2020 |
|
|
17 |
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ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES
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Alan Ali (#77, C, Jr.) – Rimington Trophy Watch List
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Judah Bell (#13, WR, Jr.)
- Career highs of 7 receptions (was 2) and 53 receiving yards (was 26)
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Tyler Lavine (#31, RB, So.)
- 6-34 rushing with 2 TDs and 2-41 receiving
- 2nd game this season with multiple rushing TDs
- 4th & 5th rushing TDs of the season
- Career-high for receiving yards (was 22), including a career-long 32-yard reception
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Tyler Page (#4, WR, Sr.) – Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
- Was 5-26 receiving
- Had a career-long 39-yard punt return
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Delano Robinson (#3, LB, Sr.)
- Team-high 6 tackles with a TFL (led SMU in tackles in 8 of last 9 games)
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Jaylon Thomas (#71, OL, Jr.) - Outland Trophy Watch List
- Started 28 of past 29 games (Missed game at Tulsa due to injury)
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Austin Upshaw (#6, WR, Jr.)
- Career highs of 8 receptions (was 4) and 78 receiving yards (was 45)
