Dallas, TX (Sports Network) – Kyle Padron threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns, leading the SMU Mustangs to a 35-21 win over the Washington State Cougars in non-conference play at Ford Stadium.
Padron also ran for a touchdown in the victory. Aldrick Robinson had a busy day in the passing game for SMU (2-1), finishing with 111 yards and three TDs on four catches.
Jeff Tuel threw for 284 yards and two TDs for Washington State (1-2), while Marquess Wilson posted six catches for 134 yards and a score.
SMU opened the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown run by Padron on the game’s opening drive.
The Cougars tied the score at 7-7 in the final minute of the first quarter, when Tuel found Jared Karstetter for a four-yard touchdown pass.
The Mustangs reclaimed the lead at the 3:30 mark of the second quarter, as Padron hooked up with Robinson for a 67-yard scoring strike.
The Cougars were forced to punt on their next possession, but SMU return man Darius Johnson fumbled it away, and Washington State’s Kyle McCartney scooped it up in the end zone to tie the score at 14-14.
Johnson atoned for his gaffe with a 10-yard touchdown reception from Padron with five minutes to play in the third quarter to put SMU on top, 21-14.
The Mustangs then began to pull away, as Padron tossed another touchdown pass to Robinson, this time from 16 yards to make it a 28-14 game with 1:18 remaining in the third quarter.
Padron’s fourth touchdown pass of the day came at the 2:08 mark of the fourth quarter, as he found none other than Robinson for a 10-yard touchdown.
The Cougars weren’t quite ready to go away as Tuel connected with Marquess Wilson for a 68-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the ensuing possession, which cut the deficit to 35-21 with 1:50 to play. However, the threat would end there, as SMU retained possession and ran out the clock.
Washington State has now lost 11 straight games to FBS schools dating back to last season.