Dallas, Texas (SMU) -- SMU wide receiver Johnnie Freeman scored three touchdowns and totaled 138 all-purpose yards as the Mustangs beat Nevada 21-7 Saturday to end a six-game losing streak.

"It is good to get back in the win column," said SMU head coach Mike Cavan. "I feel great for the players in our locker room. They have worked very hard this season and this will give them some confidence again."

SMU (2-6, 1-3 WAC) was buoyed by its defense, which forced five turnovers including four interceptions. The Mustangs limited the Wolf Pack to 19 yards on the ground in handing Nevada (1-7, 0-4) its fifth straight defeat.

Freeman, who caught seven passes for 87 yards and two scores while running four times for 51 yards, opened the scoring with a 19-yard run on a reverse with 10:32 to play in the first quarter. The score was set up by a 32-yard punt return by Chris Cunningham to the Nevada 29-yard line.

Freeman was on the receiving end of quarterback David Page's first career TD pass that gave the Mustangs a 14-0 halftime lead. The 31-yard play came with 21 second to go in the half.

Page, making just his second career start, completed 25-of-35 passes for 233 yards and two TD passes.

Nevada got to within 14-7 on its first drive of the second half when backup quarterback Brett Staninger, who replaced injured starter David Neill to start the period, threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Nate Burleson. But SMU's defense held the rest of the way.

The Mustangs put the game away with an 81-yard scoring drive that took 4:52 off the clock in the final period. Freeman capped the possession with a 20-yard scoring catch from Page.

True freshman cornerback Ruben Moodley led the defense with a pair of interceptions while JJarian James and Tommy Dorsey also had picks. Vic Viloria led SMU with 10 tackles.

SMU totaled 376 yards of offense to Nevada's 325. Kris Briggs added a season-high 113 yards rushing on 23 carries.

The Mustangs go for their second straight win next Saturday at Rice. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. CT.