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UNIVERSITY PARK - SMU pulled off something the program hadn't done in almost a quarter century Saturday night. Thing is, breaking such droughts is becoming routine on the Hilltop.
That's what happens when winning becomes a regularity.
This time, SMU held off Tulsa, 21-18, in front of 19,329 at Ford Stadium with another all-around effort, and the Mustangs (4-2) improved to 3-0 in league play for the first time since 1986.
SMU solidified its standing as a legitimate contender for the Conference USA title.
Kyle Padron passed for a season-high 381 yards and three touchdowns and one interception, enjoying big-play connections with receivers Aldrick Robinson (118 yards), Darius Johnson (102 yards) and Cole Beasley (91 yards). The Mustangs rolled up 487 total yards.
The defense limited Tulsa (3-2, 1-1) and quarterback G.J. Kinne, which arrived in town with the No. 8 offense in the Football Bowl Subdivision and averaging almost 40 points per game.
And SMU blocked two Tulsa field goal attempts, which turned out to be crucial.
Tulsa closed to within three on Kinne's three-yard keeper with 6:53 to play and a two-point conversion pass from Kinne to Charles Clay.
But SMU strung together an all-important drive that ran out the clock, including key third down conversions on runs by Zach Line and Padron.
SMU had taken control during a stretch when it scored 21-straight points, picking on the 118th-ranked pass defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision and building a 21-7 lead early in the second half. Tulsa had taken a 7-0 lead early in the game after starting its first drive with a short field at SMU's 47.
SMU's first score came on a 22-yard scoring pass late in the first quarter to sophomore Darius Johnson, who beat the Tulsa defense and strolled untouched into the end zone.
The Mustangs took the lead for good with an impressive 99-yard scoring drive late in the first half. SMU needed eight plays and 3:03 to go the length of the field, including a 29-yard completion to Robinson. The score came after Padron, looking left, finally found Beasley on the right sideline. Beasley appeared headed out of bounds, but cut back inside, breaking away from the defense on a 32-yard catch and run.
SMU opened the second half by piling on, adding another immediate scoring drive that included a 53-yard passing completion to Robinson over the top. Padron connected 14 yards with Bradley Haynes for the touchdown and a 21-7 lead.
Kevin Grenier blocked a field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter to keep SMU's lead at 21-10 after Kevin Fitzpatrick had connected on a 30-yard field goal with 9:05 to play in the third quarter.
Sophomore DE blocks another field goal, 6CC
