SMU 27, Rice 24

Rishad Wimbley ran for 115 yards and two fourth-quarter

touchdowns to help SMU defeat Rice 27-24 on Saturday in the

regular-season finale for both teams.

Jared Williams had a 52-yard touchdown run for the Mustangs

(7-5, 5-3 Conference USA), who are eligible for a bowl bid. J.J.

McDermott connected with Darius Johnson for a 45-yard touchdown

pass to open the scoring for SMU.

The Mustangs trailed 17-14 entering the fourth quarter, but

Wimbley’s 1-yard run with 12:14 to play gave them the lead, though

at 20-17 as the extra point was missed. After Rice was forced to

punt, on SMU’s third play, Wimbley ran for 39 yards to score with

9:36 left.

Nick Fanuzzi threw a pair of touchdown passes for the Owls (4-8,

3-5). Fanuzzi ran for a team-high 53 yards and threw for 159.