UNIVERSITY PARK — SMU needs some help to reach the ACC championship game in two weeks, but the Mustangs controlled what they could in their final home game of the season.
SMU (8-3, 6-1) handled Louisville (7-4, 4-4) 38-6 at Ford Stadium Saturday, starting off strong and never looking back.
Saturday was arguably SMU’s most complete performance of the season against a solid opponent, with Kevin Jennings and the offense showing their playmaking abilities and the defense keeping Louisville out of the end zone all day.
Here are five thoughts from SMU’s win.
Setting the tone early
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After SMU’s last game against Boston College, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee admitted the Mustangs may have one of the worst opening-drive offenses in the country.
The Mustangs scored on their opening drives in their first two games of the season but then did not score on their next eight opening drives, including all six against ACC opponents. SMU also had two turnovers on its first drives in that stretch.
But against Louisville, SMU received the opening kickoff and put together a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive helped by a few pass interference calls against Louisville. Jennings capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run to put the Mustangs up 7-0.
That drive set the tone for SMU to take a 21-6 lead by halftime.
SMU’s offense has been far better in second halves than first halves in ACC play, but the Mustangs were able to capitalize on a strong start Saturday.
Kevin Jennings shows playmaking prowess
SMU’s quarterback is his best when he has to improvise, and Jennings showed that in Saturday’s win.
The SMU quarterback finished with 303 yards passing and four total touchdowns on 29-of-37 passing, his third consecutive 300-yard game. He completed 15 of his first 16 passes and had three touchdowns in that span.
Two of SMU’s first three touchdowns were on elite plays by Jennings. The quarterback used his speed to beat a Louisville defender on the outside on the first score. Then, on TJ Harden’s touchdown, Jennings found him with a shovel pass when the play broke down.
He also threw two perfect passes to Jordan Hudson and Yamir Knight in the end zone.
The SMU quarterback looked the healthiest he’s been since Week 2, capitalizing on the bye to return for a strong performance.
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Elite third-down defense
Louisville’s offense could barely get moving because SMU’s defense was elite, especially on third down.
The Mustangs held Louisville to 1 of 5 on third down in the first half and 3 of 12 in the game. Louisville settled for just two field goals before halftime. SMU shut Louisville out entirely in the second half.
SMU had some key defensive players available for the first time in weeks, including defensive lineman Cam Robertson and defensive backs Jaelyn Davis-Robinson and Marcellus Barnes.
The Mustangs were also helped by the fact that Louisville started Texas native Deuce Adams at quarterback over starter Miller Moss due to injury. The Cardinals were also without their top two running backs Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown. Then, one of their top receivers Caullin Lacy was injured in the third quarter.
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Seniors show out on Senior Day
A handful of SMU’s seniors had strong showings in their last games in front of the Ford Stadium crowd.
Harden led all rushers with 90 yards on 18 carries while also catching a receiving touchdown from Jennings.
Hudson led all receivers with 96 yards on eight catches and a touchdown, continuing to show his strong chemistry with Jennings. He made a difficult catch in the end zone on SMU’s second touchdown of the day.
SMU’s two tight ends Matthew Hibner and RJ Maryland also combined for seven catches and 81 yards.
On defense, senior Ahmaad Moses led the Mustangs with eight tackles, including six solo.
ACC title game hopes still alive
SMU still has decent odds to make the ACC championship game after yet another conference win.
The Mustangs first need to beat Cal on the road next week. Then, they need a little help.
If Georgia Tech loses to Pitt later this Saturday or Virginia Tech beats Virginia next week, SMU would have a clear path to the title game.
If not, SMU could still hold the tiebreaker over Virginia of conference opponent records if NC State beats North Carolina, Wake Forest beats Duke and Miami beats Pittsburgh.
SMU’s priority is beating Cal next week and hoping enough else falls in its favor.
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