Kevin Jennings had a career day on Saturday, throwing for 285 yards and a personal-best four touchdowns to lead SMU past Syracuse, 31-18, in the Mustangs’ ACC debut.
Jennings was sharp all afternoon, completing 29 of 35 passes with just one interception. He connected on touchdown throws to Yamir Knight (15 yards), RJ Maryland (16 yards), Derrick McFall (14 yards), and Jordan Hudson (9 yards) — building a dominant 31-3 lead for SMU (3-2, 1-0 ACC) early in the fourth quarter.
Kicker Sam Keltner added a 26-yard field goal, set up by a Brandon Miyazono interception of Syracuse QB Rickie Collins.
For Syracuse (3-3, 1-2), Collins — filling in for injured starter Steve Angeli — managed a 6-yard rushing touchdown and an 11-yard TD pass to Johntay Cook II. But he also threw three costly interceptions, all inside SMU’s red zone. The Orange extended a touchdown drought to eight straight quarters before Collins finally scrambled into the end zone in the fourth.
Syracuse’s Tripp Woody hit a 38-yard field goal, and David Omopariola added a safety by tackling SMU’s Dramekco Green in the end zone. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the early deficit.
SMU’s defense — ranked near the bottom of the FBS in passing yards allowed — held Syracuse to a season-low 279 passing yards, tightening up when it mattered most.
