SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) rushes for a touchdown against Navy defender Rayuan Lane III (18) and Elias Larry (3) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Associated Press
DALLAS (AP) - Tanner Mordecai passed for 336 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed for 74 yards and a score to help SMU beat Navy 40-34 on Friday night.
All four of Mordecai's touchdowns went for 20-plus yards. Mordecai raced up the middle for a 60-yard touchdown run to begin SMU's 20-point scoring run in the third quarter. Mordecai also had a short pass to Jordan Kerley, who used two good blocks along the sideline to race for a 33-yard touchdown.
Mordecai connected with Roderick Daniels Jr. from 27-yards out for a 40-20 lead midway through the fourth. SMU recovered Navy's onside kick with 2:30 left but went three-and-out before the Midshipmen scored with nine seconds left to cap the scoring.
Dylan Goffney had a team-high four catches for 116 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown for SMU (3-3, 1-1 American Athletic Conference).
Quarterback Tai Lavatai carried it 25 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns for Navy (2-4, 2-2). Lavatai was 9-of-22 passing for 137 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Navy's third pass attempt of the game went to Vincent Terrell Jr. for a 24-yard touchdown with 14 seconds left before halftime. Navy opened the second half with a 75-yard drive, ending in Lavatai's 15-yard touchdown run.
Former President George W. Bush was in attendance.
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SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) rushes for a touchdown against Navy defender Elias Larry (3) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Associated Press
SMU wide receiver Jordan Kerley (1) pulls in a pass against Navy safety Rayuan Lane III (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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Navy quarterback Tai Lavatai (1) shovels out the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against SMU in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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A member of the the Golden Knights Army parachute team carries a Texas flag above the stadium as they jump before an NCAA college football game between Navy and SMU in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo looks on from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against SMU in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee signals from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game agains Navy in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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SMU wide receiver Dylan Goffney (10) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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SMU wide receiver Dylan Goffney (10) breaks away from Navy defenders Eavan Gibbons (11) and Rayuan Lane III (18) on his way to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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SMU linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia (41) grabs an interception in front of Navy wide receiver Jayden Umbarger (87) and teammate cornerback Jahari Rogers (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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Former President George W. Bush, right, talks with referee Edwin Lee on the sideline before an NCAA college football game between Navy and SMU in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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