SMU 31, Marshall 17

Published Nov. 20, 2010 7:37 p.m. ET

foxsports

Zach Line ran for 202 yards and a touchdown and Kyle Padron threw two TD passes and ran for a score as Southern Methodist defeated Marshall 31-17 Saturday to become bowl eligible.

Line rushed 30 times and Padron was 17 of 30 for 230 yards for the Mustangs (6-5, 5-2 Conference USA), who can clinch a spot in the conference championship game with a victory Friday against East Carolina.

Brian Anderson was 24 of 42 for 277 yards and a touchdown but also threw three interceptions for the Thundering Herd (4-7, 3-4), who fell to 0-7 all-time in Texas.

Padron threw both his TD passes in the first half, including a 41-yarder to Aldrick Robinson, to help SMU to a 24-0 halftime lead.

Marshall was held to 50 rushing yards and had its three-game losing streak snapped.