Despite Saturday being the home opener for the Mustangs, the talk coming into the contest centered around the visiting squad. Mason Fine, the two-time Conference USA Offensive MVP and fridge Heisman Trophy candidate, entered the evening primed to deliver North Texas its second consecutive victory over their cross-town rival. Just moments after the opening kick, however, it was a different gunslinger receiving all the attention as SMU rolled UNT for a 49-27 victory.
Shane Buechele, the Arlington native playing in his first home game of his SMU career, garnered all the praise as the home team made a statement early.