SMU 27, Rice 24

Published Nov. 26, 2011 4:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

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.