SMU scores 20 unanswered in 3rd quarter, beats Navy 40-34
QB Tanner Mordecai takes off for the 60-yard SMU TD
Tanner Mordecai scores 60-yard rushing TD
DALLAS -- — Tanner Mordecai passed for 336 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed for 74 yards and a score to help SMU beat Navy 40-34 on Friday night.
All four of Mordecai's touchdowns went for 20-plus yards. Mordecai raced up the middle for a 60-yard touchdown run to begin SMU's 20-point scoring run in the third quarter. Mordecai also had a short pass to Jordan Kerley, who used two good blocks along the sideline to race for a 33-yard touchdown.
Mordecai connected with Roderick Daniels Jr. from 27-yards out for a 40-20 lead midway through the fourth. SMU recovered Navy's onside kick with 2:30 left but went three-and-out before the Midshipmen scored with nine seconds left to cap the scoring.
Dylan Goffney had a team-high four catches for 116 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown for SMU (3-3, 1-1 American Athletic Conference).
Quarterback Tai Lavatai carried it 25 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns for Navy (2-4, 2-2). Lavatai was 9-of-22 passing for 137 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Navy’s third pass attempt of the game went to Vincent Terrell Jr. for a 24-yard touchdown with 14 seconds left before halftime. Navy opened the second half with a 75-yard drive, ending in Lavatai’s 15-yard touchdown run.
Former President George W. Bush was in attendance.
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Game Information
2024 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| Tulane | 7-1 | 9-5 |
| Navy | 6-2 | 9-3 |
| Memphis | 6-2 | 11-2 |
| East Carolina | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| South Florida | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| UTSA | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Charlotte | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| North Texas | 3-5 | 6-6 |
| Rice | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Temple | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| UAB | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Florida Atlantic | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| Tulsa | 1-7 | 3-9 |
2024 Atlantic Coast Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| SMU | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| Clemson | 7-1 | 10-4 |
| Miami | 6-2 | 10-2 |
| Syracuse | 5-3 | 9-3 |
| Louisville | 5-3 | 8-4 |
| Georgia Tech | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Duke | 5-3 | 9-3 |
| Virginia Tech | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Boston College | 4-4 | 7-5 |
| Pittsburgh | 3-5 | 7-5 |
| NC State | 3-5 | 6-6 |
| North Carolina | 3-5 | 6-6 |
| Virginia | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| California | 2-6 | 6-7 |
| Wake Forest | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Stanford | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Florida State | 1-7 | 2-10 |
NCAAF News