GGSM{SMU} 35, UAB 33

September 12, 2009--The be-Shame Masked Mustangs of Southern Methodist stumbled a bit, but they managed to hang on and get their first victory against a I-A team since September 8, 2007, a span of 21 games. SMU scored a rushing touchdown early in the first quarter set up by a 59-yard punt return by Emmanuel Sanders. Sanders found the end zone himself a few moments later on a 44-yard TD catch from Bo Levi Mitchell. Sanders ended the day with 9 catches for 148 of Mitchell's 353 yards.

Leading 21-7 near the end of the first half, SMU intercepted a pass with 55 seconds left and two plays later found the end zone to extend their lead to 28-7. Life is good.

Okay, well, their third play of the second half was a fumble, and a few plays later, UAB scored a touchdown. Then a few moments later, UAB's Mark Ferrell scampered 80 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to only 28-21, and then on the very next play from scrimage, UAB's Brandon Carlisle intercepted a pass and returned it 12 yards before fumbling it to his teammate Andre Hicks who found the end zone for a touchdown.

All must be lost for SMU, I hear you saying. However, you'd be wrong. After giving up two touchdowns in less than 30 seconds, the Mustangs managed to block the second extra point to preserve the lead 28-27. Then they had a five-minute drive in the fourth quarter capped by a 19-yard TD run by Shawnbrey McNeal to give them an 8-point lead.

However, UAB's Joe Webb got the two-minute offense in gear and drove his Blazers down the field, converting a 3rd and 12 for a 14-yard TD pass to Jeffery Anderson with only 13 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, his run on the two-point conversion attempt failed to tie the game, sealing the SMU win.

Congratulations to SMU on your victory and starting the season 2-0!