UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas — Everyone in the stadium could see the seconds ticking off the clock to end the first half. Ten-nine-eight-seven-six. Shane Buechele wasn't snapping the ball. The Mustangs had a first-and-goal and two timeouts.
But Buechele, seemingly losing track of the time, let about 20 seconds run off the clock. By the time the Mustangs got a timeout, they had to go for the field goal. On a night when there were very few offensive chances, SMU wasted one of its best.
It was indicative of the entire 42-13 loss for the Mustangs. Against a top-10 team, and an elite defense, No. 16 SMU did not rise to the occasion against No. 9 Cincinnati. Defensively, the Mustangs couldn't contain QB Desmond Ridder, who ran for 179 yards including backbreaking 32-yard, and 91-yard TDs to put the Bearcats up three scores each time.
This game was one of the biggest in SMU's history. A chance to validate itself on a national prime-time stage. A chance to take over supremacy in the conference. A chance to live up to the old Pony Express moniker that its re-assigned to the current group.
But, instead, SMU fell flat at home against a team that certainly appeared to be far superior. It was the first home loss for the program since Nov. 16, 2018.
From the outset, it was critical mistakes that defined the game. After a three-and-out in the first quarter, SMU freshman Bryan Massey ran into the Cincinnati punt returner. Just 101 seconds and four plays later, the Bearcats were up 14-0.
SMU TE Kylen Granson dropped two catchable passes. Mustangs kicker Chris Naggar missed a 46-yard field goal. Buechele was sacked three times.
Buechele also had an interception, but it wasn't really his fault. That time, it was on Danny Gray, who had the ball pop out of his hands late in the third quarter, and into those of Cincinnati's Ahmad Gardner.
The Mustangs had its chances in the fourth quarter to make it a game. The first time, its fans booed SMU's decision to kick a 22-yard field goal with a fourth-and-two situation at the five-yard-line. That made it a 15-point game.
SMU got the ball back almost immediately on a fumble recovery. But it turned it over on downs. After forcing a punt, it got the ball back again. But, again, SMU turned it over on downs.
The Mustangs offense had no answers, but it kept having opportunities. Its final opportunity, though, was dashed as Ridder kept it on the next play. He broke through the defense and his teammates raced up the sideline along with him to cap off a 91-yard rush.
The Mustangs had one of the best offenses in college football this season, and last. Even it games they played poorly in, and in games that they lost, they still found ways to score. They still found ways to have stretches of dominance.
There were no such stretches. And, instead, Cincinnati piled on late, scoring again after a third turnover on downs in the quarter.
The Mustangs may very well be one of the best teams in the conference, but there is no doubt leaving this game which team is better.
