Kevin Jennings threw four touchdown passes to highlight SMU’s 31-18 win over visiting Syracuse in ACC action from Dallas.
Jennings finished 29 of 35 for 285 yards, finding four different players for touchdown passes. T.J. Harden added 66 rushing yards on 16 carries for the Mustangs (3-2, 1-0 ACC), who bounced back nicely from an 11-point loss to crosstown rival TCU.
Syracuse quarterback Rickie Collins struggled in his second start since taking over for the injured Steve Angeli. The LSU transfer went 22 of 45 for 279 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions as the Orange (3-3, 1-2) dropped their second consecutive game.
A 26-yard field goal by Sam Keltner accounted for the only scoring of the first quarter, but SMU quickly added to its lead in the second quarter, as Jennings found Yamir Knight for a 15-yard TD pass about two minutes into the period.
On the ensuing possession, the Orange went for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 40 and Yasin Willis was stuffed. Four plays later, Jennings found RJ Maryland for a 16-yard TD catch to make it 17-0.
Syracuse was stopped on fourth down again on its next trip, as Collins’ pass to Willis fell short of the sticks. That left SMU with 90 yards to cover, but the hosts did just that, using six plays to find the end zone. Jennings’ 14-yard TD pass to Derrick McFall provided the exclamation point.
The Orange got on the board on Tripp Woody’s 38-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Jennings made it 31-3 with a 9-yard TD pass to Jordan Hudson.
Collins had a fourth-quarter rushing score and a passing TD — and the Orange recorded a safety — to make the final score a bit more respectable. However, the redshirt sophomore also threw two interceptions in the final period as the visitors’ comeback ultimately fell short.
