RENO, Nev. (AP) -- Preston Stone connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass to R.J. Maryland with 1:18 left in the fourth quarter as Southern Methodist avoided an upset to open the season, defeating Nevada 29-24 on Saturday night.
A near four-touchdown favorite, SMU needed a fourth-quarter comeback to survive the first game of its inaugural season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Down 24-13, the SMU comeback started with 10 minutes left and the Mustangs pinned at their own 10-yard line. On third down and short, Stone connected on a 49-yard pass to Maryland. SMU finished the drive with a Brashard Smith four-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion to pull within 24-21.
On Nevada's next possession, SMU defensive lineman Anthony Booker Jr. tackled Nevada quarterback Brendon Lewis in the endzone for a safety to pull the Mustangs within a point with eight minutes left in the game.
SMU began its winning drive on its own 17-yard line with 3:31 left.
The nine play, 83-yard drive ended with Maryland's winning catch. SMU's 6-foot-4 junior wide receiver finished the game with eight receptions for 162 yards.
Penalties plagued SMU and forced them to play from behind into the fourth quarter. The Mustangs had 11 penalties for 125 yards, including one unsportsmanlike penalty for spitting in the third quarter that led to an ejection for cornerback Brandon Crossley. The penalty opened the door for the Wolf Pack to continue a 15-play drive and take a 24-13 lead with 3:23 left in the third.
Lewis led the Wolf Pack in its near upset, completing 14 passes on 26 attempts for 132 yards. He also led the Wolf Pack with 77 rushing yards.
Stone completed 17 of 30 passes for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Nevada opened the scoring with Lewis' 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jace Henry with a minute left in the first quarter. SMU responded with a 10-play drive to open the second quarter, capped by a one-yard run from L.J. Johnson Jr.
Nevada and SMU both made field goals in the second quarter before Lewis' 10-yard touchdown pass to Cortez Braham Jr. with nine seconds left in the first half gave the Wolf Pack a 17-10 lead at the break.