SMU Flexes Balance and Depth in 45–13 Road Rout of Boston College

By: Marc Henry Via Mustang Wire

SMU continues to prove it belongs among the ACC’s elite. The Mustangs dominated every phase of Saturday’s 45–13 win over Boston College, rolling to their seventh victory of the season and improving to 5–1 in conference play. Behind another strong outing from quarterback Kevin Jennings and a defense that refused to give the Eagles room to breathe, Rhett Lashlee’s team looked every bit like a contender heading into the season’s final stretch.

The win marked SMU’s 13th in 14 ACC contests since joining the league in 2024 and extended Lashlee’s remarkable November record to 13–1. It was also the Mustangs’ largest margin of victory in a road ACC game, surpassing last season’s 30-point win at Stanford.

Jennings Steady as Ever

Redshirt junior quarterback Kevin Jennings has quietly developed into one of the most efficient passers in the ACC, and Saturday was another showcase of his growth. Jennings threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, his second straight 300-yard performance and sixth of his career. He connected on deep shots, spread the ball to seven different receivers, and now ranks fifth in SMU history with 50 career touchdown passes.

Jennings’ scoring strikes went to three different targets, Jordan Hudson (25 yards), Yamir Knight (61 yards), and tight end Matthew Hibner (37 yards),  as SMU continued to stress Boston College vertically.

Explosive Playmakers Take Over

Few teams in the country have as many weapons as SMU, and the depth was on display in Chestnut Hill.

Junior wideout Yamir Knight posted career highs with seven receptions for 162 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown that broke the game open early in the third quarter. Jordan Hudson, the senior receiver and team captain, added five receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown of his own. It marked the first time since 2022 that SMU had two 100-yard receivers in the same game.

On the ground, senior T.J. Harden powered the rushing attack with 130 yards on 16 carries, while freshman Derrick McFall found the end zone three times, on runs of one, six, and 48 yards, to seal the victory. The Mustangs finished with 206 rushing yards and 574 total yards, their highest output of the season.

Defensive Statement Game

While the offense lit up the scoreboard, SMU’s defense was equally dominant. The Mustangs recorded eight sacks, nine tackles for loss, and four takeaways, a continuation of what has become one of the nation’s most opportunistic units.

Senior defensive end Isaiah Smith led the charge with a career-high four sacks, tying the program’s single-game record. Smith now sits second in school history with 22.5 career sacks, trailing only Luke Johnson’s 23.5 from 1999.

Linebacker Alexander Kilgore added 10 tackles, while safety Ahmaad Moses recovered two fumbles. True freshman Tyren Polley Jr. recorded his first career interception and set a personal best with eight tackles.

SMU now leads the nation with 26 takeaways, including 16 interceptions, and continues to rank among the country’s top defenses in sacks and tackles for loss.

Building Momentum Toward Louisville

For Lashlee, the win was another sign of how far the program has come since entering the ACC just two seasons ago. SMU has now won 26 of its last 29 regular-season games and 14 of its last 16 on the road.

“This is what complementary football looks like,” Lashlee said after the game. “We’ve got veteran leadership, depth at every position, and a group that believes in each other. When we play to our standard, we can beat anyone in the country.”

The Mustangs will return home to Gerald J. Ford Stadium on November 22 for a crucial matchup against No. 15 Louisville, a game that could shape the ACC Championship race.

If Saturday’s performance is any indication, SMU looks ready for the moment.