UNIVERSITY PARK -- Defense was optional, and playmaker applications were wide open for Saturday's homecoming matchup pitting SMU and East Carolina.

In a wild, 59-51 SMU win, a Gerald J. Ford Stadium attendance of 29,528 witnessed 110 total points, 1,280 total yards and 60 first downs. Fans also saw a couple of SMU receiving records broken, a single-season total touchdowns record broken, a converted fourth-and-20 play, a game-clinching fourth-down SMU catch, an East Carolina player with 19 catches and only four penalties between both teams.

But other than that, it just another game. If anything, the crowd was entertained. The defensive coaches may not have been as impressed, but for everyone else, there was a lot to see.

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What SMU will enjoy most is that it got a much-needed American Athletic Conference victory. The Mustangs improved to 9-1 on the year and 5-1 in AAC play. They also avoided the upset against a determined ECU team that left winless in conference play.

"A three-win team going on the road and playing as hard as they did, I think that's a real credit to their coaching staff," SMU coach Sonny Dykes said of ECU. "You can see how much they've improved. Their last two weeks, they've gone to the end of the game, last week against Cincinnati and this game against us. You can see how much better they are."

With all the highlights, wide receiver James Proche had 14 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the win. He became SMU's all-time career receiving touchdowns leader, surpassing, Emmanuel Sanders (2006-09), and also set the record for most consecutive games with a receiving touchdown with nine, surpassing Aldrick Robinson in 2010.

READ: Why homecoming can be extra special for SMU's James Proche

Eric Dickerson was one of the alumni in attendance for Saturday's game, and current SMU running back Xavier Jones rushed 20 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns in the win He now has 20 touchdowns, which sets SMU's single-season touchdowns record.

The person who once owned that record? Dickerson, had 19 touchdowns in 1981.

In a relatively quiet performance, quarterback Shane Buechele once again put up big numbers in victory. Buechele completed 33 of 46 passes for 414 yards and five touchdowns.

Tight end Kylen Granson also had an effective day overall for the Mustangs. He finished with seven catches for 138 yards and three touchdowns. Granson also recovered the game-clinching onside kick late in the fourth quarter.

Despite taking the loss, East Carolina (3-7, 0-6) had its own gaudy numbers. Wide receiver Tyler Snead was a headache for SMU's defense, as he caught 19 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Holton Ahlers completed 32 of 42 passes for 498 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions.

"Stings a lot," Snead said of the loss. "We just have to get over the hump. We are right there. We've been right there for two weeks [against] two ranked opponents. We just have to get over it."

SMU now prepares for a well-earned idle week. The Mustangs will return to the football field Nov. 23 at Navy.