Since 1989 SMU has defeated only 2 ranked teams, has had only 3 winning seasons, and is 64–158–3. The Mustangs did not return to a bowl game until 2009; they won the 2009 Hawai'i Bowl on December 24, 2009 over Nevada by a score of 45–10. The death penalty decimated the Southwest Conference's reputation and finances, contributing to the collapse of the entire conference in 1996 (which led to a major conference realignment). The collapse of the SWC was likely the nail in the coffin for the SMU program. The Mustangs have been in mid-major football conferences ever since—first the Western Athletic Conference, then Conference USA, and now the American Athletic Conference. Additionally, according to Yahoo! Sports writer Dan Wetzel, school officials significantly increased admissions standards for all incoming athletes, effectively taking the Mustangs out of contention for the kinds of players they attracted in the 1980s.