SMU Upsets Miami, Ends Playoff Hopes, Fans Rush Field

DALLAS – Gerald J. Ford Stadium erupted in a sea of red and blue Saturday night as the SMU Mustangs pulled off a stunning 28-21 upset over the No. 16 Miami Hurricanes, ending a 43-year drought against the ACC powerhouse. As the final whistle blew on October 26, 2024, thousands of ecstatic SMU fans streamed onto the field, painting a chaotic and joyous scene for what many are calling a landmark victory in the program’s history.

The monumental win marks SMU’s first triumph over Miami since October 25, 1980, rekindling memories of the Mustangs’ storied “Pony Express” era and signaling a potential new chapter for the Dallas-based team, particularly as they prepare to join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) next year.

The game, played before a frenzied sellout crowd of 35,000, was a defensive battle punctuated by opportunistic scoring. SMU’s offense, led by junior quarterback Preston Baker, capitalized on key Miami miscues, while their defense held strong against a Hurricanes team that had largely dominated opponents this season.

SMU took an early lead with a first-quarter touchdown pass from Baker, but Miami responded to make it a seesaw affair. The Mustangs ultimately pulled ahead in the fourth quarter on a crucial 15-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Dominic Hayes, putting them up 28-21. The SMU defense then sealed the victory, forcing a turnover on downs deep in their own territory on Miami’s final drive.

“This is more than just a win; it’s a statement,” said SMU Head Coach Rhett Riley, drenched in Gatorade during the post-game pandemonium. “For our university, our alumni, and especially this city, it shows what we’re building here. Our guys fought their hearts out, and they earned every bit of this.”

For the Hurricanes, the loss is a devastating blow, marking their second defeat of the season and effectively torpedoing any realistic hopes of making the College Football Playoff. Miami, under coach Mario Cristobal, entered the game with a 6-1 record and aspirations of an ACC Championship, but struggled with consistency against the gritty Mustangs.

“Credit to SMU, they played a tough game,” said a visibly disappointed Coach Cristobal in his post-game press conference. “We made too many mistakes, particularly in critical situations, and you can’t do that against a well-coached team on the road. We have to learn from this and move forward.”

The scene at Gerald J. Ford Stadium was pure exhilaration for the Mustangs faithful. Red and blue confetti cannons erupted as fans hoisted players onto their shoulders, chanting “S-M-U! S-M-U!” and reveling in a victory that had been 43 years in the making.

“I’ve been an SMU fan my entire life, and I honestly never thought I’d see us beat Miami again,” shouted Sarah Miller, an SMU alumna, as she joined the rush onto the field. “This is absolutely incredible. It feels like the old days are back!”

The victory not only provides SMU with a significant boost in national recognition but also positions them favorably in their current conference standings. They will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup against Temple. Meanwhile, Miami faces a tough road ahead, needing to rebound quickly as they prepare for a critical conference clash against Virginia Tech.

Saturday night in Dallas will undoubtedly be etched into SMU lore as a night when the Mustangs truly rode again, demonstrating their potential on a national stage and igniting a renewed sense of pride for their program.