TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Xavier Jones ran for two first-quarter touchdowns and Shane Buechele threw three second-quarter touchdown passes as SMU rolled to a 41-0 lead early in the second half and held on to post a 48-21 win over South Florida in the American Athletic Conference opener for both schools Saturday.
Coming off a win over then-No. 25 Texas Christian last week, the Mustangs now are 5-0 for the first time since 1983. SMU finished 10-2 that season after losing to Alabama in the Sun Bowl.
Jones had runs of 9 and 36 yards for first-quarter touchdowns. Beuchele threw a 6-yard pass to James Proche, 31 yards to Reggie Roberson and 19 yards to Proche to make it 34-0 at halftime. He ran 10 yards for a score in the third quarter before South Florida got on the board won a 24-yard touchdown from Blake Barnett to Jacob Mathis.
Beuchele was 21 of 25 for 226 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Jones carried 15 times for 155 yards.
Barnett finished 13 of 21 for 222 yards with three touchdowns for the Bulls (1-3).