ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime Season 15 Episode 149 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: SMU Mustangs vs. Fresno State Bulldogs at Aloha Stadium, Honol

On December 24th, the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl brought a clash between the SMU Mustangs, representing Conference USA, and the Mountain West Conference's Fresno State Bulldogs to Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. It was a Thursday night primetime event that excited football enthusiasts across the nation, as both teams brought their best efforts to finish the season with a win.

The SMU Mustangs had a tough season in the Conference USA, but earned their spot in the Hawaii Bowl by winning their last game against the Tulane Green Wave. Their offense was led by quarterback Garrett Gilbert, a former Texas Longhorn, who threw for over 3,500 yards and had 21 touchdowns on the season. The Mustangs defense, which gave up an average of over 30 points per game, would need to step up and control the Bulldogs' sizeable offensive line and running attack.

Fresno State, on the other hand, had a strong season, finishing 11-1 and winning the Mountain West Conference championship game against the Boise State Broncos. Their offense was led by quarterback Derek Carr, who had over 4,800 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes. Their defense was one of the best in the nation, giving up an average of under 16 points per game.

The stage was set for an exciting matchup, with two strong offenses and two teams looking to finish their seasons on a high note. The game began with Fresno State set to receive the ball first, and they immediately drove down the field for a touchdown, with Carr connecting with Davante Adams for a 16-yard score. SMU quickly responded with a touchdown of their own, with Gilbert hitting Darius Joseph for a 50-yard strike.

The game went back and forth for the remainder of the first quarter, with both teams scoring touchdowns. Fresno State continued to move the ball effectively, with Carr connecting with Isaiah Burse for two touchdowns in the second quarter. SMU stayed close, however, with Gilbert throwing a touchdown pass to Keenan Holman just before halftime, bringing the score to 35-24 in favor of Fresno State.

The second half saw a change in momentum, as SMU's defense began to step up and slow down Fresno State's offense. Gilbert continued to connect with his receivers, throwing two touchdown passes in the third quarter to bring the Mustangs to within three points. Fresno State wasn't done yet, however, as they responded with a 29-yard touchdown run by Marteze Waller.

As the fourth quarter began, SMU trailed by ten points. They continued to battle back, with Gilbert throwing another touchdown pass to Holman to bring the score to 42-39 with just over four minutes remaining in the game. SMU's defense then came up with a big stop, forcing a Fresno State punt and giving the Mustangs the ball with just over three minutes left on the clock.

Gilbert led his team down the field, with SMU driving all the way to the Fresno State 14-yard line. However, with just seconds remaining on the clock, Gilbert's pass attempt fell incomplete, giving Fresno State the victory in a thrilling 43-42 game.

Despite the loss, SMU put up a valiant effort, with Gilbert throwing for over 350 yards and five touchdown passes. Fresno State's Carr had an impressive game as well, throwing for 362 yards and four touchdown passes. In the end, it was a game that showcased both teams' offensive firepower, with Fresno State coming out on top.

The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl was an exciting way to close out the college football season, with two talented teams battling it out until the very end. Though SMU fell just short of victory, they showed that they had the ability to compete with one of the best teams in the country. Meanwhile, Fresno State finished their season on a high note, capping off a remarkable season with a hard-fought win in one of college football's most beloved bowls.