B.L. Mitchell throws 3 TDs, Southern Methodist holds off Alabama-Birmingham 35-33

Mitchell throws 3 TDs, SMU holds off UAB 35-33

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.L. Mitchell threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns and Southern Methodist held off Alabama-Birmingham’s rally to win 35-33 on Saturday.

Mitchell, who completed 28 of 47 passes, had touchdown throws of 44, 32 and 6 yards. His third TD pass went to Cole Beasley to give the Mustangs (2-0, 1-0 Conference USA) a 28-7 lead in the second quarter.

The Blazers (1-1, 1-1 CUSA) scored 20 points in the third quarter to cut the lead to 28-27. Joe Webb scored on a 1-yard run, Mark Ferrell had an 80-yard touchdown run and Andre Hicks returned an interception 20 yards for a score.

SMU regained its eight-point lead on Shawnbrey McNeal’s 19-yard run with 4:04 left. UAB got within two on Jeffery Anderson’s 14-yard touchdown reception, but Webb’s rushing attempt on a 2-point conversion failed.

SMU’s Emmanuel Sanders had 148 yards receiving and one touchdown.