5 thoughts from SMU-Florida State: Mustangs show they belong in ACC with statement win

UNIVERSITY PARK — The stage was set for a big night at Ford Stadium.

Under the lights in SMU’s ACC debut against the reigning conference champions, the Mustangs had a chance to make a statement in front of their new conference.

They did exactly that, taking down Florida State (1-4) 42-16 to advance to 4-1 on the year.

Another standout performance by running back Brashard Smith paired with a career game for quarterback Kevin Jennings, who threw for over 250 yards and three touchdowns allowed SMU to become the first team to score more than 30 points on Florida State in the regular season since Nov. 25, 2022.

Here are five thoughts from SMU’s ACC-opening win:

SMU shows it belongs

The atmosphere on the Hilltop was electric on Saturday.

While the sellout crowd at Ford Stadium included a strong showing of Seminoles fans, SMU’s supporters came out in full force and were loud from the start.

They had a lot to cheer for, as SMU earned its first win in its new conference by defeating the reigning ACC champions in decisive fashion.

Now, SMU’s only loss of the season was to a BYU team that was ranked in the AP top 25 just two weeks later.

SMU not only showed it could compete against the conference’s best. It showed it belongs among them.

SMU turns to pass game after running back injuries

SMU’s running back room turned from its deepest unit to its thinnest in a matter of weeks, as all four of the Mustangs’ rotation backs have now suffered injuries.

Camar Wheaton and Jaylan Knighton were ruled out for the season with knee injuries. LJ Johnson Jr. missed Saturday’s game with a concussion, and Brashard Smith left for a few drives in the first half with an apparent upper-body injury.

While Smith returned and had a standout game, rushing 17 times for 129 yards and a 13-yard touchdown on the opening drive, SMU relied more heavily on its passing game than it had all year. Jennings threw a season-high in passing yardage in the first half (150) and finished the game with a career-high 254 yards on 16-of-23 passing and a career-high three touchdowns.

SMU’s receivers, who have been quiet for most of the year, got in the action early. Jake Bailey led all receivers with 65 yards, including catches for 39 and 26 yards. Jordan Hudson had a 42-yard touchdown reception on a flea flicker, SMU’s longest passing touchdown this year. And RJ Maryland, who had been quiet since the season opener against Nevada, caught two touchdown passes.

Special teams issues persist

Almost every game this season, SMU’s special teams has made a critical mistake or two that shifted the game.

Against Nevada, a high snap on a punt set up a touchdown for Nevada, handing the Wolf Pack the ball in the red zone. Against BYU, a punt hit an SMU player in the back, leading to a turnover.

The Mustangs thought they flipped the script against TCU when Roderick Daniels Jr. returned a punt 69 yards for the touchdown, but some critical special teams issues late in the first half kept Florida State within reach.

Rogers’ field goal attempt was blocked late in the half not long before SMU snapped the ball high on a punt and it flew through the back of the end zone, resulting in a safety. That allowed Florida State to trail by just five points before halftime.

While SMU built a significant lead in the third quarter, special teams saw another poor play in the fourth quarter, when Daniels muffed a punt, which Florida State recovered. Luckily for SMU, Kobe Wilson and the defense bailed the special teams out with a pick-six.

Special teams has had some bright moments this season, but some unresolved issues that still need to be addressed.

Defense continues to make much-needed big plays

SMU’s defense has proven to be an elite group of playmakers so far this season. Against tougher competition and its first conference opponent, the Mustang defense did it again.

SMU won the turnover battle 3-1 and managed to turn those takeaways into 21 points.

Jonathan McGill made the first big play of the day, diving to intercept Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei in the second quarter. Ahmad Walker added a second interception on the first drive of the second half when Uiagalelei’s pass bounced off the hands of tight end Kyle Morlock and was easily scooped up by Walker.

Wilson had the third takeaway in the fourth quarter, intercepting Uiagalelei and running it back 82 yards for the score, breaking tackles the entire way there.

SMU has scored five non-offensive touchdowns this season, the most in FBS.

Possibly the biggest play the defense made all day, though, was after Florida State blocked Rogers’ field goal and drove all the way down field. The Seminoles went for it on 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line, but Jahfari Harvey stopped Uiagalelei on the run.

While SMU’s secondary struggled at times, giving up some big gains in the middle of the field, the defense redeemed itself with another standout performance overall.

Mustangs carry momentum into toughest matchup of year

SMU will spend the next month on the road after going 3-1 in its four-game stretch at Ford Stadium.

The Mustangs face what may be their toughest matchup of the season next week, traveling to face No. 15 Louisville eager for redemption after falling 31-24 to No. 16 Notre Dame earlier Saturday.

SMU may find itself ranked for the first time this season, or it’ll have the chance to solidify that spot for certain with a challenging matchup on the road.

But either way, Saturday’s game gave SMU the momentum to pull off an upset in Louisville.

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