LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) _ Dylen Smith, replacing senior Zac Wegner as starting quarterback, threw two touchdown passes as Kansas overcame a rash of running back injuries to beat winless Southern Methodist 27-9 Saturday.

David Winbush, the Jayhawks' leading rusher this season, was lost to a knee injury early in the first quarter. Later in the half, backup Mitch Bowles went out for the game.

In the second half, third-stringer Henri Childs went to the sideline with turf toe, putting freshman Matt Jordan in the game.

Smith, a highly regarded transfer from Santa Monica (Calif.) Community College, had been expected to start after Kansas (2-3) was blown out by the first three Division I-A teams it played. He hit 19 of 34 passes for 215 yards and two scores and also got picked off three times.

The Jayhawks seemed listless and trailed SMU (0-4) 9-0 when Joey Pelfanio went back to punt midway through the second quarter.

But, fooling the Mustangs entirely, he threw a pass down the middle to a wide-open Tyrus Fontenot.

The play went for 26 yards to the SMU 38, and the momentum of the game swung completely and permanently to Kansas.

On third-and-10 from the 26, Smith connected with Harrison Hill, who leaped up for a fingertip catch of the overthrown ball, then dashed untouched into the end zone, making it 9-7 with 8:46 left in the half.

After forcing a three-and-out on SMU's ensuing possession, the Jayhawks took over on their own 39 and Smith immediately hit Michael Chandler for a 47-yard gain to the 14.

On second and goal from the one, Childs plowed into the end zone. Smith's pass for a two-point conversion failed, leaving the Jayhawks with a 13-9 halftime lead.

Safety Carl Nesmith forced Cunningham to fumble in the third quarter and recovered the fumble, putting the Jayhawks in business on the 42. A few minutes later, Smith connected with Moran Norris for a 10-yard TD pass and a 20-9 lead.

The Jayhawks made it 27-9 with 1:18 left when Mike Lewis scored on an 11-yard run.

The Mustangs took a 6-0 lead with 4:17 to go in the first quarter on Josh McCown's 18-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cunningham.

The drive, which started after Raymond Brown blocked Kansas' attempted field goal, covered 76 yards in six plays and featured McCown passes of 28 yards to Damond Blueitt and 27 to Cunningham.

The extra point was no good.

The Mustangs took a 9-0 lead 14 seconds into the second quarter on Adam Waltersheid's 26-yard field goal.