SMU Travels to Missouri State for First-Ever Matchup

SMU hits the road to take on Missouri State this weekend.

Via Mustang Wire

The SMU Mustangs hit the road Saturday for their first-ever matchup with Missouri State in Springfield, MO. looking to rebound from a hard-fought 48-45 double-overtime loss at Baylor on Sept. 6. The Mustangs showcased plenty of firepower in the setback, as senior wide receiver Romello Brinson hauled in four passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns, while running back TJ Harden added 115 rushing yards and three scores. He became the first Mustang with three touchdowns in a game since Brashard Smith accomplished the feat in 2024. Quarterback Kevin Jennings fueled the offense with a season-high 458 total yards, tying his career best with three touchdown passes, including a pair of 75-yard strikes, making him just the seventh ACC signal caller since 2000 to record multiple scoring throws of 75+ yards in a single contest.

QUICK HITS

• SMU has won its last 9 regular-season road games dating back to 2023.

• Jennings ranks among the nation’s elite QBs:

  • 12th – Passing efficiency (186.6)

  • 16th – Pass yards per game (277.5)

  • 16th – Points responsible for per game (18.0)

• Brinson is Top 5 nationally:

  • 2nd – Receiving TDs (3)

  • 4th – Receiving yards (247)

  • 4th – Receiving yards per game (123.5)

• SMU’s defense is opportunistic:

  • 1st – Defensive TDs (2)

  • 3rd – Fumble recoveries (3)

  • 5th – Turnovers gained (5)

• 20 Mustangs earned preseason honors.

• DB Isaiah Nwokobia: Preseason All-America (Athlon, Phil Steele, Sporting News, Walter Camp) + watch lists (Thorpe, Nagurski, Bednarik, Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl).

• QB Kevin Jennings: Watch lists include Maxwell, Unitas, O’Brien, Manning, Earl Campbell-Tyler Rose, Senior Bowl, and Shrine Bowl.

• SMU’s 55 wins since 2019 are the most by any Texas FBS program, including 24 road wins (also tops).

• The Mustangs are 21-5 in their last 26 games and 20-2 in their last 22 regular-season contests.

• Under Rhett Lashlee, SMU is 27-3 when scoring 30+ points.

• At least 7 receivers have caught a pass in 30 of the last 33 games.

• Lashlee’s 21-3 conference record is the best start for any coach in SMU history.

• SMU entered 2025 ranked No. 16 in both AP & Coaches Polls – their highest preseason ranking since 1985.

THE SERIES

• First meeting between SMU and Missouri State.

ABOUT THE BEARS

• Missouri State finished 8-4 (6-2 MVC) in 2024.

• The Bears are 1-1 in 2025:

  • Lost 73-13 to USC in the opener.

  • Defeated Marshall 21-20 last week.

THE COACHES

• Rhett Lashlee (SMU, 4th year):

  • Career record: 30-13 (29 wins = 2nd-most by a head coach in first 3 years in SMU history).

  •  OC at SMU (2018–19) and Miami (2020–21).

  • Four-time Broyles Award nominee (finalist in 2013).

  • 2024 honors: Bear Bryant Award finalist, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Coach of the Year, Robinson Award finalist, Munger Award semifinalist.

• Ryan Beard (Missouri State, 2nd year):

  • Record: 13-12 (9-7 MVC).

  • Youngest HC in program history (age 34 at hire in Dec. 2022).

  • Previously MSU defensive coordinator (2020–22).

CLUB TAKEAWAY

• SMU has forced a turnover in 23 of the last 26 games.

• The Mustangs have multiple takeaways in both games to start 2025.

PONIES TAKE THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD

• SMU’s 9-game road winning streak is its longest since 13 straight (1981–84).

• Mustangs average 35 PPG during the streak.

• Have scored 26+ points in all 10 road wins since 2023.

Current Road Winning Streak

1. Oct. 12, 2023 – W, 31-10 at ECU

2. Oct. 20, 2023 – W, 55-0 at Temple

3. Nov. 4, 2023 – W, 36-31 at Rice

4. Nov. 18, 2023 – W, 38-34 at Memphis

5. Aug. 24, 2024 – W, 29-24 at Nevada

6. Oct. 5, 2024 – W, 34-27 at No. 22 Louisville

7. Oct. 19, 2024 – W, 40-10 at Stanford

8. Oct. 26, 2024 – W, 28-27 (OT) at Duke

Nov. 23, 2024 – W, 33-7 at Virginia