Breaking Down SMU vs East A&M
- Marc Henry
- Aug 27, 2025
- 2 min read
(Via Marc Henry for Mustang Wire)
DALLAS (August 27, 2025) – The No. 16 SMU Mustangs kick off the 2025 season Saturday night at Gerald J. Ford Stadium when they host East Texas A&M. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
SMU enters the season coming off back-to-back 11-win campaigns and the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in 2024. The Mustangs begin the year ranked 16th in both the AP and Coaches polls, their highest preseason ranking since 1985.
Head coach Rhett Lashlee has guided SMU to 54 wins since 2019, the most among all Texas FBS programs, including a state-best 24 road victories. Under Lashlee, the Mustangs are 26-2 when scoring 30 or more points.
Key Players to Watch
QB Kevin Jennings returns after a breakout 2024 season, landing on the Maxwell, O’Brien, and Unitas Award watch lists.
S Isaiah Nwokobia, a preseason All-American, is considered one of the nation’s top defensive backs and is on the Thorpe, Nagurski, and Bednarik Award lists.
The Mustangs had 20 players earn preseason honors, highlighting one of the deepest rosters in program history.
At Home in Ford
SMU has been nearly unstoppable at Ford Stadium, winning 14 of its last 15 home games while averaging 48.7 points per game during that stretch.
Streaking Into the Opener
The Mustangs have won six straight season openers dating back to 2019, their longest streak since a school-record run from 1972–86.
Scouting East Texas A&M
The Lions finished 3-9 in 2024 but return standout WR Christian Jourdain. East Texas A&M is led by head coach Clint Dolezel, a former professional quarterback entering his third season.
Mustang Captains
This year’s captains are Kevin Jennings, Alexander Kilgore, Ahmaad Moses, Isaiah Nwokobia, Logan Parr, and PJ Williams.
Comments