Mustangs Survive in Tallahassee: No. 19 SMU Edges Florida State, 27-24

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It was not always clean, but No. 19 SMU showed the toughness and composure needed to escape Doak Campbell Stadium with a victory.

Nick Reed connected on the game-winning field goal with 21 seconds remaining, lifting the Mustangs past Florida State, 27-24, in their season opener and first ACC game of the year.

The game began under unusual circumstances following a power outage that delayed kickoff by nearly two hours. SMU and Florida State initially played without functioning scoreboards, coach-to-player helmet communication or sideline tablets. Despite the disruption, the Mustangs came out firing.

Kevin Jennings connected with Jalen Cooper for a 50-yard touchdown to give SMU the early lead. Florida State answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped by an eight-yard touchdown run from quarterback Ashton Daniels, tying the game at seven.

Jennings struck again during the second quarter, finding Randy Pittman Jr. for a 10-yard touchdown. Following a 46-yard Florida State field goal, Reed added a 22-yarder to send SMU into halftime with a 17-10 advantage.

Florida State tied the game late in the third quarter when Ousmane Kromah scored on a seven-yard run. Kromah was the Seminoles’ most consistent offensive weapon, finishing with 120 rushing yards.

SMU regained control early in the fourth quarter behind the biggest play of the night. Jennings found Yannick Smith, who broke free for a 79-yard touchdown to put the Mustangs ahead, 24-17.

The Seminoles refused to go away. Daniels answered with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Singleton Jr., tying the game at 24 with 8:17 remaining.

That set the stage for a dramatic finish.

Jennings threw his second interception with 6:33 remaining, giving Florida State an opportunity to take the lead. The SMU defense responded when Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder sacked Daniels and helped force a three-and-out.

The Mustangs then put together a physical final drive, controlling the ball for more than four minutes before Reed delivered the decisive field goal. Florida State’s final possession went nowhere, allowing SMU to leave Tallahassee with a hard-earned conference road victory.

Jennings delivers despite costly turnovers

Jennings produced several explosive plays and finished with 430 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added 33 yards on the ground.

His touchdown passes went to Cooper, Pittman Jr. and Smith, with Cooper’s 50-yard score and Smith’s 79-yard catch-and-run highlighting SMU’s big-play ability.

The Mustangs finished with 585 yards of total offense, but four turnovers prevented them from putting the game away earlier. Jennings was responsible for three of those giveaways, while a muffed punt by Yamir Knight helped set up Florida State’s third-quarter touchdown.

Those mistakes will give head coach Rhett Lashlee plenty to address, but Jennings’ ability to continue attacking after the turnovers was critical to the victory.

Defense answers when SMU needs it most

SMU’s defense delivered one of its strongest performances on third down, holding Florida State to two conversions in 15 attempts.

The Seminoles finished with 330 total yards, with much of their production coming through Kromah and the rushing attack. Daniels passed for only 123 yards, and SMU consistently forced Florida State into difficult third-down situations.

The defense was at its best after Jennings’ late interception. Alcorn-Crowder’s sack helped prevent Florida State from taking advantage of the turnover and gave the offense another opportunity to win the game.

SMU did not play mistake-free football, but its defense repeatedly limited the damage.

Mustang Wire takeaway

This was a game SMU could have allowed to slip away. The Mustangs dealt with a long delay, limited stadium technology, four turnovers and a Florida State team that continued to respond. Still, they found a way to make the decisive plays late.

Jennings showed why he remains one of the country’s most dangerous quarterbacks. SMU’s receivers demonstrated legitimate big-play potential, the defense dominated third down, and Reed came through with the game on the line.

The turnovers will be corrected. Against stronger opponents, four giveaways could be impossible to overcome. But opening the season with an ACC road victory in Tallahassee is significant.

SMU leaves Florida State at 1-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play and with proof that it can survive adversity on the road.