DALLAS - Jaylan Knighton rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown and Preston Stone threw two touchdown passes as SMU remained unbeaten in American Athletic Conference play with a 45-21 win against North Texas Friday night at Gerald. J. Ford Stadium.

The Mustangs improved to 8-2 overall and 6-0 in The American with the win. SMU would clinch a spot in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game for the first time with wins in its final two games (Nov. 18 at Memphis, Nov. 25 vs. Navy).

SMU, which ranks in the top 10 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense, outscored the Mean Green 28-7 in the second half. The Mustangs finished with a 552-372 advantage in total offense and gained 318 yards on the ground.

Knighton was one of two 100-yard rushers for the Mustangs, who saw L.J. Johnson go for 106 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Camar Wheaton added 51 yards and a TD as SMU scored four rushing touchdowns on the day.

SMU pulled away from a 17-14 halftime score after Tyler Lavine barrelled into the end zone from five yards out on the third play after a North Texas fumble deepin Mustang territory. The Mustangs then capped a four-play drive on Knighton's 20-yard run with 2:15 left in the third to make it 31-14.

Wheaton and Johnson added rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Stone, meanwhile, completed 11 of 20 passes for 234 yards and shook off an early interception to throw two touchdown passes. Kelvotay Dixon had three catches for 99 yards.

North Texas quarterback Chandler Rogers went 18-for-31 for 240 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. Oscar Adaway rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries for the Mean Green, which fell to 3-7 overall and 1-5 in The American.