SMU
4-2 , 2-0
Stanford
2-4 , 1-2
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| SMU | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
Oct 11 | Football
Mustangs Move To 4-2, Travel To Clemson Next Weekend
Box Score | Postgame Notes
Game Highlights | Condensed Game Video
DALLAS (AP) -- Chris Johnson Jr. ran for an 87-yard touchdown and took a short pass 42 yards for a score after a nifty escape from quarterback Kevin Jennings as SMU beat Stanford 34-10 on Saturday.
Justin Medlock returned an interception 96 yards for a clinching TD in the fourth quarter of the 19th consecutive regular-season conference victory for the Mustangs (4-2, 2-0 Atlantic Coast).
SMU is 10-0 in the ACC in the regular season since returning to a power conference last season for the first time since 1995. The Mustangs lost to Clemson in the ACC championship game last year.
The Cardinal (2-4, 1-2) answered Johnson's long rushing score with 35 seconds to go before halftime by driving 75 yards in four plays and 33 seconds to get within 17-7 at the break.
Stanford cornerback Aaron Morris was immobilized and taken off the field in an ambulance in the first quarter after tackling SMU receiver Jordan Hudson. Morris cleared precautionary tests and was allowed to rejoin the team before the end of the game.
Five plays after Morris' injury, Derrick McFall took a short pass from Jennings 19 yards for the game's first points. Johnson was 22 of 30 for 247 yards and two scores.
On the TD to Johnson, Jennings escaped immediate pressure from Tevarua Tafiti by pivoting out the tackle, then lobbing the pass to Johnson just before he was crunched by several defenders. Johnson was alone along the sideline before cutting toward the middle of the field.
For Stanford, Ben Gulbranson threw for 278 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown to CJ Williams on the quick drive before halftime. The Cardinal were in position to get within a TD before his poor decision on the throw intercepted by Medlock, who ran untouched down the Stanford sideline. Gulbranson also had trouble with SMU's pressure, getting sacked six times.
SMU's Johnson had just one carry for zero yards after the third rushing TD of the Miami transfer's three-year career. He finished with 96 yards on five carries. The receiving TD was also the third of his career.
Up next, No. 25 Florida State visits Stanford next Saturday. SMU plays at Clemson next Saturday.SMU Postgame Notes – October 11, 2025
- SMU 34, Stanford 10
- SMU (4-2, 2-0 ACC), Stanford (2-4, 1-2 ACC)
- Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas
NEXT GAME
- At Clemson - Saturday, October 18 – 3:30pm ET/2:30pm CT – Memorial Stadium – Clemson, South Carolina
- TV: ACC Network
- Radio: KLIF 570 AM | SMU Mobile App/Varsity Network | Sirius XM
- SMU Tickets: https://smumustangs.com/tickets
CONFERENCE WINNING STREAK
- SMU has won a program-record 19 consecutive league regular-season games, which is the nation's longest active streak (No. 3 Oregon is at 17, hosts No. 7 Indiana at 2:30pm CT)
- SMU has won a program-record 12 consecutive home conference games
BUILDING A LEAD
- After punting on the first two drives, SMU scored on 4 straight possessions to build a 24-7 lead at 8:22 3rd Qtr
- TD, FG, TD, TD
LONG PLAYS
- SMU had a 96-yard interception return by Justin Medlock and an 87-yard TD run by Chris Johnson Jr.
- This is the third time in the past two seasons SMU has had two scores in the same game of at least 75 yards
- vs Baylor 9/6/25 (Kevin Jennings 75-yard pass to Romello Brinson, Jennings 75-yard pass to Jalen Cooper)
- vs Pitt 11/2/24 (Kevin Jennings 80-yard TD pass to Matthew Hibner, Kobe Wilson 82-yard INT return)
- First time SMU has had two scoring plays of at least 87 yards since 10/6/2001 vs Hawaii
- Jonas Rutledge 92-yard kickoff return, Johnnie Freeman 90-yard pass to David Page
- This is the third time in the past two seasons SMU has had two scores in the same game of at least 75 yards
- Chris Johnson Jr. (#6, RB, So.)
- 5-96 rushing with a TD (career-high rushing yards)
- 87-yard rushing TD is T-7th in program history
- 2-42 receiving with a TD
- First multi-TD game of his career
- 5-96 rushing with a TD (career-high rushing yards)
| SMU LONGEST RUN PLAYS | |||||
| 1 | Kris Briggs vs.Tulsa, 2002 | 96t | |||
| 2 | C. Morrison/J. Jacobs vs. Texas, 1985* | 95t | |||
| Jaylan Knighton vs Charlotte 2023 | 95t | ||||
| 4 | Jim Hagle vs. Texas, 1965 | 93t | |||
| 5 | Preston Johnston vs. Auburn, 1940 | 92t | |||
| 6 | Frank Eidom vs. Rice, 1953 | 91 | |||
| 7 | Frank Jackson, vs. Texas Tech, 1959 | 87 | |||
| Chris Johnson Jr. vs Stanford, 2025 | 87t | ||||
- Justin Medlock (#20, LB, Sr.)
- 96-yard interception return TD (4th-longest in program history)
- First career interception
| SMU LONGEST INTERCEPTION RETURNS | |||||
| 1 | Reggie Phillips at Louisville, 1984 | 100t | |||
| Putt Choate vs. Tulane, 1977 | 100t | ||||
| Charles Jackson vs. Rice, 1957 | 100t | ||||
| 4 | Justin Medlock vs Stanford, 2025 | 96t | |||
| 5 | Tirey Wilemon vs. Navy, 1959 | 95t | |||
| Hubert Walling vs. Okla. A&M, 1922 | 95t | ||||
| Ahmaad Moses vs East Texas A&M, 2025 | 95t | ||||
SPREADING THE BALL
- Kevin Jennings (#7, QB, RS Jr.) -- Maxwell Award Watch List, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, Manning Award Watch List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Third Team
- 14-5 as a starter
- 22-30 passing for 247 yards with 2 TDs
- TD passes to: Derrick McFall (19 yards), Chris Johnson Jr. (42 yards)
- Multiple passing TDs in 13 of his past 17 games
- 7 different receivers caught a pass
- At least 7 players have a catch in 34 of the past 37 games
- Romello Brinson (6-48), Jordan Hudson (5-87), Yamir Knight (4-16), Chris Johnson Jr. (2-42, TD), Derrick McFall (2-26, TD), RJ Maryland (2-18), Link Rhodes (1-10)
- Captains: TJ Harden (#27, RB, Sr.), Jeffrey M'ba (#6, DL, Gr.), Ahmaad Moses (#3, S, Sr.), Isaiah Nwokobia (#23, S, Sr.)
- SMU is 4-2 this season
- SMU is 33-14 under Rhett Lashlee
- SMU is 23-3 in last 26 regular-season games
- SMU is 24-6 in the last 30 games overall
- SMU is 17-2 in the last 19 home games
- SMU is 29-3 under Rhett Lashlee when scoring 30+ points
- SMU was 2-2 in the red zone (7-7 in ACC games this season)
- SMU had 6 sacks, 8 TFLs and 6 pass breakups
- Season-high 6 sacks (5 at Missouri State)
- Most since 9 at Virginia 11/23/24
- 6 Sacks: Cameron Robertson (1.5), Jeffrey M'ba (1), Brandon Miyazono (1), Isaiah Smith (1), Terry Webb (1), William Nettles (0.5)
- 8 TFLs: Cameron Robertson (2), Jeffrey M'ba (1), Brandon Miyazono (1), Ahmaad Moses (1), Isaiah Smith (1), Terry Webb (1), William Nettles (0.5), Isaiah Nwokobia (0.5)
- 6 PBUs: Marcellus Barmes Jr., Kyron Chambers, Brandon Miyazono, Isaiah Nwokobia, Keveion'ta Spears, Terry Webb
- Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia tied for the team high with 11 tackles
- 11 is a career-high for Ahmaad Moses
- Williams Nettles was next for SMU with a career-high 8 tackles
- SMU had 2 takeaways (1 fumble, 1 interception)
- Multiple takeaways in 11 of the past 19 games including 5 of 6 games this season
- Interceptions: Justin Medlock (96-yard TD return)
- SMU has 3 interception return TDs this season (2 vs East Texas A&M)
- Fumble recoveries: Romello Brinson
- Have 13 takeaways this season (entered the game 1st ACC / 3rd NCAA FBS in takeaways – 12)
- Have 10 interceptions this season (entered the game 1st ACC / 2nd NCAA FBS in interceptions – 9)
TV AND RADIO HIGHLIGHTS
The CW
- Kevin Jennings behind-the-back pass RJ Maryland
https://x.com/thecw_sports/status/1977050105825182175?s=42 - Kevin Jennings 19-yard TD pass to Derrick McFall
https://x.com/thecw_sports/status/1977055725181714550?s=46&t=4YaFrP-Zk0tncmefQ3DbCg - SMU defense stops Stanford on 4th-&-goal (2nd Qtr, 2:44)
https://x.com/thecw_sports/status/1977063461265064439?s=46&t=4YaFrP-Zk0tncmefQ3DbCg - Chris Johnson Jr. 87-yard TD run
https://x.com/thecw_sports/status/1977065923040407775?s=46&t=4YaFrP-Zk0tncmefQ3DbCg - Kevin Jenings 42-yard TD pass to Chris Johnson Jr.
https://x.com/thecw_sports/status/1977076187987165606?s=46&t=4YaFrP-Zk0tncmefQ3DbCg - Justin Medlock 96-yard interception return TD
https://x.com/TheCW_Sports/status/1977088691215778030
SMU Highlights and Head Coach Rhett Lashlee postgame radio | SMU Radio Network on KTCK "The Ticket" 96.7 FM, 1310 AM (Rich Phillips pxp, Scott Garner analyst, Steve Lansdale sideline) – Courtesy Learfield / SMU Athletics
- Highlights – https://tinyurl.com/22ulfh8q
- Rhett Lashlee postgame – https://tinyurl.com/2d6onuxn
SMU INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
- Kevin Jennings (#7, QB, RS Jr.) -- Maxwell Award Watch List, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, Manning Award Watch List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Third Team
- 22-30 passing for 247 yards with 2TDs
| CAREER PASSING YARDS | |||
| 1 | Ben Hicks, 2016-18 | 9081 | |
| 2 | Chuck Hixson, 1968-70 | 7179 | |
| 3 | Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22 | 7152 | |
| 4 | Shane Buechele, 2019-20 | 7024 | |
| 5 | Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13 | 6460 | |
| 6 | Mike Ford, 1977-80 | 6239 | |
| 7 | Mike Romo, 1989-92 | 6041 | |
| 8 | Kyle Padron, 2009-11 | 5902 | |
| 9 | Kevin Jennings 2022- | 5726 | |
| 10 | Ramon Flanigan, 1992-97 | 5640 | |
| CAREER TD PASSES | |||
| 1 | Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22 | 72 | |
| 2 | Ben Hicks, 2016-18 | 71 | |
| 3 | Shane Buechele, 2019-20 | 57 | |
| 4 | Justin Willis, 2006-08 | 51 | |
| 5 | Kevin Jennings, 2022- | 44 | |
| CAREER COMPLETIONS | |||
| 1 | Ben Hicks, 2016-18 | 718 | |
| 2 | Chuck Hixson, 1968-70 | 642 | |
| 3 | Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13 | 603 | |
| 4 | Mike Romo, 1989-92 | 601 | |
| 5 | Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22 | 596 | |
| 6 | Shane Buechele, 2019-20 | 549 | |
| 7 | Mike Ford, 1977-80 | 475 | |
| 9 | Kevin Jennings, 2022- | 462 | |
| 8 | Kyle Padron, 2009-11 | 446 | |
| SMU CAREER TOTAL OFFENSE - YARDS (Pass | Run) | |||||
| 1 | Ben Hicks, 2016-18 | 8977 | 9081 | -104 | |
| 2 | Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22 | 7454 | 7152 | 302 | |
| 3 | Ramon Flanigan, 1992-97 | 7437 | 5640 | 1797 | |
| 4 | Shane Buechele, 2019-20 | 7234 | 7024 | 210 | |
| 5 | Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13 | 7073 | 6460 | 613 | |
| 6 | Chuck Hixson, 1968-70 | 6884 | 7179 | -295 | |
| 7 | Kevin Jennings, 2022- | 6235 | 5726 | 509 | |
| 8 | Kyle Padron, 2009-11 | 6189 | 5902 | 287 | |
| 9 | Mike Ford, 1977-80 | 6055 | 6239 | -184 | |
| 10 | Justin Willis, 2006-08 | 6054 | 4991 | 1063 | |
- RJ Maryland (#82, TE, Sr.) -- John Mackey Award Watch List, College Football Comeback Player of the Year Watch List, Senior Bowl Top 300 List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Second Team, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas First Team
- 2-18 receiving
| SMU CAREER RECEPTIONS - TIGHT ENDS | |||
| 1 | John Hampton, 2000-02 | 114 | |
| 2 | RJ Maryland, 2022- | 100 | |
| 3 | Kylen Granson, 2019-20 | 78 | |
| SMU CAREER RECEIVING YARDS - TIGHT ENDS | ||||
| 1 | John Hampton, 2000-02 | 1485 | ||
| 2 | RJ Maryland, 2022- | 1307 | ||
| 3 | Kylen Granson, 2019-20 | 1257 | ||
- Isaiah Smith (#1, DE, Sr.) - Phil Steele All-ACC Fourth Team
- Had 2 tackles, including a sack
| SMU CAREER SACKS | |||
| 1 | Luke Johnson, 1997-99 | 23.5 | |
| 2 | Ja'Gared Davis, 2009-12 | 20.5 | |
| Justin Lawler, 2014-17 | 20.5 | ||
| 4 | Justin Rogers, 2003-06 | 19.5 | |
| 5 | Anthony Beverly, 1981-84 | 19.0 | |
| 6 | Chad Patton, 1990-93 | 18.0 | |
| Taylor Thompson, 2008-11 | 18.0 | ||
| Delontae Scott, 2016-19 | 18.0 | ||
| 9 | Elijah Roberts, 2023-24 | 17.5 | |
| 10 | Jerry Ball, 1983-86 | 17.0 | |
| Isaiah Smith, 2021- | 17.0 | ||
ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Zakye Barker (#33, LB, RS Jr.) — East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List
- 2 tackles
- Marcellus Barnes Jr. (#8, CB, Fr.)
- Tied career-high 4 tackles
- TJ Harden (#27, RB, Sr. ) - East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List
- 12-39 rushing
- Jordan Hudson (#2, WR, Sr.) - East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Second Team
- 5-87 receiving (season-high for yards)
- Alexander Kilgore (#54, LB, Jr.) - Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee, Athlon Sports All-ACC Fourth Team
- Had 5 tackles
- Derrick McFall (#0, RB, Fr.) – Doak Walker Award Watch List
- 2-26 receiving with a TD (2nd straight week with a receiving TD)
- Ahmaad Moses (#3, S. Sr.) -- Senior Bowl Top 300 List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Athlon Sports All-ACC First Team, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, ACC DB of the Week (9/2)
- Career-high 11 tackles (was 10), including a TFL
- William Nettles (#0, CB, Fr.)
- Career-high 8 tackles (was 4)
- Addison Nichols (#63, OL, RS Jr.) -- Rimington Trophy Watch List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Phil Steele All-ACC Third Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Third Team
- Started 6 games at RG at SMU (started all 12 games at Arkansas in 2024)
- Isaiah Nwokobia (#23, S, RS Sr.) - Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, Bronco Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Chuck Bednarik Watch List, Senior Bowl Top 300 List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Walter Camp All-America Second Team, Sporting News All-America Second Team, Athlon Sports All-America Third Team, Phil Steele All-America Fourth Team, All-ACC Team, Phil Steele All-ACC First Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC First Team, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas First Team
- Co-team-high 11 tackles, including a half-TFL
- Had a pass breakup
- Logan Parr (#71, OL, Gr.) -- East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, Athlon Sports All-ACC Second Team, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas First Team
- Has started 32 of the 33 games played at SMU
- Cameron Robertson (#9, DE, Sr.) - Athlon Sports All-ACC Third Team
- Had 4 tackles, including 2 TFLs and 1.5 sacks
- Had a pass breakup
- Terry Webb (#4, DT, 5th Yr. ) - East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas Second Team
- Had a sack and a pass breakup
- Aakil Washington (#58, DE, RS Sr.) - East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List
- DNP
- PJ Williams (#59, OL, RS Jr.) - Outland Trophy Watch List, East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, Athlon Sports All-ACC First Team, Phil Steele All-ACC Fourth Team, Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas Second Team
- DNP – Has started the last 21 games he has played
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
STA 0, SMU 7
SMU - McFall,Derrick 19 yd pass from Jennings,Kevin (Keltner,Sam kick) 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:16
STA 0, SMU 10
SMU - Keltner,Sam 32 yd field goal 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:06
STA 0, SMU 17
SMU - Johnson Jr.,Chris 87 yd run (Keltner,Sam kick), 6 plays, 98 yards, TOP 02:09
STA 7, SMU 17
STA - Williams,CJ 14 yd pass from Gulbranson,Ben (Kenney,Emmet kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:33
STA 7, SMU 24
SMU - Johnson Jr.,Chris 42 yd pass from Jennings,Kevin (Keltner,Sam kick) 5 plays, 82 yards, TOP 02:07
STA 10, SMU 24
STA - Kenney,Emmet 34 yd field goal 11 plays, 50 yards, TOP 04:31
STA 10, SMU 31
SMU - Medlock,Justin 96 yd interception (Keltner,Sam kick)
STA 10, SMU 34
SMU - Keltner,Sam 48 yd field goal 9 plays, 45 yards, TOP 04:03
