When SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee named Kevin Jennings the starting quarterback moving forward he didn't do so lightly or as a knee-jerk reaction.

He also didn't make a move to an inexperienced player. Jennings played a key role in two games as a true freshman, came into one game last season and then started the American Athletic Conference championship game and the Fenway Bowl.

"It's never easy when you make a decision that you feel's in the best interest of your team, but you know it's going to hurt somebody you care about," Lashlee said. "So, you're not going to do those things lightly or in a knee-jerk reaction. They're going to be very thoughtful and you're going to consult your staff and have the pulse of your team and all the things that go into it.

"... College football, week-in, week-out you've got to do what you think gives you the best chance to win. You've got to make hard decisions. And you know what, sometimes you make a choice and it doesn't even mean it's going to work, but you make the best choice that you have with the information you have. I think that's what we did."

Even before coming to SMU and helping win the first outright conference title in over four decades, he did the same thing in leading Dallas South Oak Cliff to the first state championship for a Dallas ISD school in over six decades.

"He started the conference championship game last year, started our bowl game," Lashlee said. "So, I know y'all are probably going to make a big deal about it and talk about it a whole lot, but it's not his first start and it's not his first start in a big game. So, probably about the only thing you say, it's his first start at home, so there you go."

The moment doesn't get too big for Jennings. In fact, he embraces those big moments.

"Honestly, I feel like, in big games, that's when … big games when the pressure is on me, that's when I perform the best," Jennings said. "So just excited to get here and play with my teammates and enjoy another week of football."

There have been plenty of big moments in Jennings career already. His first collegiate experience came in the first half as he helped the Mustangs hold on to a victory, snapping a long road losing streak at Tulsa. He had a key 90-plus-yard drive in the win against Memphis later that season. He came in against Rice last year and then made his first career start in the AAC championship game.

Now his first career home start comes against rival TCU.

"It means a lot, just being a kid from Dallas," Jennings said. "Getting to rep Dallas, SMU (as a) university, it's a big moment for me and for my teammates as well. For my teammates and coaches believing in me if they're giving me the start, it's a big moment. I appreciate them."

Receiver Jake Bailey came to SMU the same year as Jennings. Though Bailey came in as a transfer with three years of experience under his belt and Jennings was a true freshman. He's had a chance to see that growth.

"Kevin, he's like a sponge," Bailey said. "He embraces that younger guy, but just ready to take in and accept all the new knowledge and he has an open mind and he's very willing to take in or accept all the teachings, which I think has really just expedited his growth, for sure. He's come so far in such a short amount of time. And I think we'll be able to see that on the field."

That has already been apparent through his first few practices as the starting quarterback. Not much has changed in Jennings' focus or approach. Even when Jennings wasn't the starter, he prepared like he was. So when he became the starter there was no need to change.

"I think he looked good. I could tell he's prepared," safety Isaiah Nwokobia said. "He's always one of the first guys in, last guys out. I can tell he's prepared, in practice he's really sharp so we're really confident in him and in the offense as a group."

The offense is trying to shake off a disappointing showing in the loss against BYU. It was the first time the Mustangs have been held out without a touchdown since the 2016 meeting against this week's opponent, TCU.

"We feel like the way we are on offense and the direction we need to go and with the pieces we have, it's going to give us the best chance to win and, most importantly, gives our team and our offense consistency," Lashlee said. "We can start to get back to the identity that we've always had on offense and move forward and give ourselves the best chance to win."

Jennings has done that and Jennings has won. He has 15 college games under his belt, including two starts. He's thrown for 1,165 yards with seven touchdowns, another two scores rushing, and three interceptions. 

Now he's ready for the next challenge.

"It helps a lot. Just not getting thrown in, not knowing the game speed and all of that," Jennings said. "Just having the game speed down already and knowing what's coming and not being shocked of what's coming towards my way and just being prepared for games."