Zach Line rushed for 106 yards and Kyle Padron threw for 318 yards and two touchdowns for SMU (4-4, 3-1).
Receiver Tyron Carrier had a big special-teams TD for Houston. After the Mustangs got within 24-17 on Padron's 29-yard scoring pass to Cole Beasley in the third quarter, Carrier returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards to re-establish a 14-point lead and squash SMU's momentum.
Carrier caught three passes for 42 yards to give him 34 straight games with at least one reception, which is tied for the fourth-longest streak in the nation.