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After two games on the road, the SMU Mustangs are heading back home. The Mustangs and the South Florida Bulls will face off in an American Athletic battle at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Coming off of a win even when the odds were against them, SMU has to be feeling especially confident now that the spread is in their favor.
It was all tied up 21-21 at the half for SMU and the TCU Horned Frogs last week, but SMU stepped up in the second half for a 42-34 victory. RB Ulysses Bentley IV and QB Tanner Mordecai were among the main playmakers for SMU as the former rushed for one TD and 153 yards on 20 carries and the latter passed for four TDs and 245 yards on 28 attempts in addition to rushing for one TD and 37 yards. Mordecai's 68-yard touchdown toss to WR Danny Gray in the first quarter made for one of the most memorable moments of the day.
Meanwhile, South Florida came up short against the BYU Cougars last week, falling 35-27. South Florida's loss came about despite a quality game from RB Jaren Mangham, who punched in two rushing touchdowns.
The Mustangs are now a perfect 4-0 while the Bulls sit at 1-3. Two defensive stats to keep in the back of your head while watching: SMU is stumbling into the matchup with the 224th most passing yards allowed per game in the nation, having given up 306 on average. South Florida has experienced some struggles of their own as they are 236th worst in the nation in touchdowns allowed, with 19 on the season. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
