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The SMU Mustangs (6-6, 5-3 C-USA) handed the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (9-3, 7-1) their first conference loss of the season on Saturday in the regular season finale for both teams. The Mustangs became bowl-eligible in the process, for a school-record fourth consecutive year.
The Mustangs raced out to a 35-6 lead in the matchup against the Golden Hurricane, before needing a last-second goal-line stand to preserve the victory. The SMU ground game was the difference on Saturday, with Garrett Gilbert rushing for 111 yards on just 12 carries, and Zach Line chipping in 81 yards and three touchdowns on the ground for the Mustangs.
SMU's 35-27 win at Gerald Ford Stadium on Saturday means a second-place finish in Conference USA's West division for the Mustangs, with a 5-3 mark. Tulsa had already wrapped up the division title prior to the contest, and will face the UCF Knights next Saturday in the Conference USA championship game.