DALLAS, TX — Kevin Jennings delivered his best outing as a Mustang, throwing for 285 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to power SMU past Syracuse, 31–18, in the program’s first ACC home game on Saturday.
Jennings was nearly flawless throughout the afternoon, completing 29 of 35 passes. His 82.9% completion rate ranks as the second-best in school history for 20 or more attempts, trailing only Justin Willis’ 87% performance in 2006.
The junior quarterback spread the wealth, firing touchdown passes to Yamir Knight (15 yards), RJ Maryland (16 yards), Derrick McFall (14 yards) and Jordan Hudson (9 yards) as SMU (3–2, 1–0 ACC) built a commanding 31–3 advantage early in the fourth quarter.
“Probably one bad play in the whole game — the interception late,” head coach Rhett Lashlee said. “He’s playing confident, he’s seeing everything, and he’s throwing with touch when he needs to and driving the ball when he has to.”
Jennings downplayed his performance.
“No secret,” he said. “Just get the ball to our guys and let them do what they do.”
SMU also added a 26-yard field goal from Sam Keltner following an interception by Brandon Miyazono, which halted a Syracuse scoring threat.
Syracuse Struggles in the Red Zone
The Orange (3–3, 1–2) found chances but couldn’t capitalize. Quarterback Rickie Collins, starting for the second straight week after Steve Angeli’s season-ending injury, threw for 279 yards on 22-of-45 passing, with one touchdown and three interceptions — all inside SMU’s 20-yard line.
Collins also scored on a 6-yard keeper, and later hit Johntay Cook II on an 11-yard touchdown. Tripp Woody made a 38-yard field goal, and David Omopariola recorded a safety.
Syracuse had a chance to strike first, starting its opening drive at the SMU 42 after a shanked punt. The possession ended on the goal line when Collins was stopped on a quarterback run from the 1.
Costly Break
The Orange appeared to convert a fake-punt scramble early in the second half when punter Jack Stonehouse ran for 11 yards on fourth-and-10. But officials ruled SMU offside — making the play dead under the rules — and the successful run was erased, extinguishing momentum.
At a Glance
Syracuse: The Orange have now lost back-to-back games for the first time under coach Fran Brown, who is in his second season.
SMU: The Mustangs extended their run of regular-season conference victories to 18 straight, spanning their last nine matchups in The American and their first nine ACC contests.
What’s Next:
Syracuse: Idle next week before hosting Pittsburgh on Oct. 18
SMU: Returns home to face Stanford next Saturday
