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SMU Defeats Stanford 34-10

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
    • 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
  • 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
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
  • 7 different receivers caught a pass
TEAM NOTES  
TV AND RADIO HIGHLIGHTS
 
The CW  
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  
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
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Players Mentioned

Jaylan Knighton

#4 Jaylan Knighton

RB
5' 10"
SR
GS-1L
Elijah Roberts

#5 Elijah Roberts

DE
6' 4"
SR
GS-1L
Kobe Wilson

#24 Kobe Wilson

LB
6' 0"
GS
SR-2L
Romello Brinson

#3 Romello Brinson

WR
6' 2"
RS SR
SR-1L
Kyron Chambers

#12 Kyron Chambers

CB
6' 0"
RS JR
JR-SQ
Matthew Hibner

#88 Matthew Hibner

TE
6' 5"
GS
GS-TR
Jordan Hudson

#2 Jordan Hudson

WR
6' 1"
SR
JR-1L
Kevin Jennings

#7 Kevin Jennings

QB
6' 0"
RS JR
SO-1L
Alexander Kilgore

#54 Alexander Kilgore

LB
6' 1"
JR
SO-1L
RJ Maryland

#82 RJ Maryland

TE
6' 4"
SR
JR-2L

Players Mentioned

Jaylan Knighton

#4 Jaylan Knighton

5' 10"
SR
GS-1L
RB
Elijah Roberts

#5 Elijah Roberts

6' 4"
SR
GS-1L
DE
Kobe Wilson

#24 Kobe Wilson

6' 0"
GS
SR-2L
LB
Romello Brinson

#3 Romello Brinson

6' 2"
RS SR
SR-1L
WR
Kyron Chambers

#12 Kyron Chambers

6' 0"
RS JR
JR-SQ
CB
Matthew Hibner

#88 Matthew Hibner

6' 5"
GS
GS-TR
TE
Jordan Hudson

#2 Jordan Hudson

6' 1"
SR
JR-1L
WR
Kevin Jennings

#7 Kevin Jennings

6' 0"
RS JR
SO-1L
QB
Alexander Kilgore

#54 Alexander Kilgore

6' 1"
JR
SO-1L
LB
RJ Maryland

#82 RJ Maryland

6' 4"
SR
JR-2L
TE