SMU’s final game against Tulsa was a reflection of its season: a slow start, then a comeback that got the team within striking distance, only to fall short in the game’s final minutes. Self-inflicted wounds and missed opportunities denied SMU its sixth win and a chance at a bowl, as Tulsa beat the Mustangs 27-24 Saturday night at Chapman Stadium.
In a do-or-die game, SMU just came out flat. Tulsa, at 2-9, presented a good opportunity for SMU to earn its way into a bowl game, but the Mustangs seemed as if they weren’t ready to play. Early mistakes proved to be critical; they led to an early deficit that SMU had to spend the entire second half trying to make up.