No. 21 SMU Defeats Boston College In The Rain, 25-16

Saturday, October 3

Dallas, Texas

11am CT

SMU

4-1 , 2-1

Boston College

2-3 , 0-2

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Boston College	10	0	0	6	16
SMU	6	7	6	6	25

No. 21 SMU Defeats Boston College In The Rain, 25-16

Oct 3 | Football

Box Score

Mustangs Move To 4-1 In Wet Saturday Afternoon Win At Ford Stadium

Box Score | Postgame Notes
Photo Gallery | Video Highlights
Condensed Game Video
Postgame Press Conference

DALLAS (AP) -- Kevin Jennings threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score and No. 21 SMU Mustangs beat Boston College Eagles 25-16 in a soggy defensive struggle Saturday.

Jennings, the FBS passing leader at 357 yards per game coming in, had only 160 while going 20 of 30 in a light but steady rain that lasted into the second half. His passing yardage was his lowest since the week Jennings took over as the starter early in the 2024 season.

Marques White had three of SMU's five sacks, including one that forced a fumble by Mason McKenzie and was returned 34 yards by Aakil Washington to the Eagles' 13-yard line. It set up Jennings' 14-yard scoring pass to Randy Pittman Jr.

"Really proud of our defense," SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said after the Mustangs won despite getting outgained 322-218. "I thought defensively start to finish it was our most complete game."

Jennings' other TD toss also came on a short drive when SMU (4-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) returned a punt to the BC 41. After a roughing the passer penalty on third down, Jennings threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Derrick McFall. Kendrick Raphael had a 2-yard TD run.

The Eagles (2-3, 0-2) had a chance to get within two points early in the fourth quarter, but Cameron Kossmann dropped a pass when he was wide open and probably would have scored easily on fourth-and-inches from the SMU 8.

"Too many mistakes," said BC coach Bill O'Brien, whose team had 11 penalties for 95 yards. "We work very hard to coach a disciplined team. We weren't a disciplined team today."

Evan Dickens caught a 43-yard scoring pass from McKenzie, and Danny Edgehille had a 6-yard TD grab before the Eagles' failed 2-point conversion attempt left them nine points down with 2:07 remaining.

Boston College: McKenzie bounced back from a rough passing game in a loss to Virginia Tech to throw for 208 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His scrambling ability was negated somewhat by the sacks. He had 74 yards rushing - with 33 subtracted by the sacks.

SMU: Lashlee was already annoyed with special teams coming into the game, and that was before the Mustangs botched two PAT attempts. The first was a high snap that was difficult for Wade McSparron to handle, particularly on a wet field. McSparron simply mishandled the snap the second time.

While saying he thought other parts of the special teams were better, Lashlee added, "Obviously, there's guys in Pop Warner that can take a snap and hold better than we can right now."

The Mustangs faced fourth-and-50 after getting the ball at the Boston College 44-yard line when O'Brien went for it on fourth down in a nine-point game in the third quarter. SMU had three holding penalties, including one that wiped out a 22-yard completion.

Jennings was sacked for a 9-yard loss, and Raphael lost 2 more yards on a run on third-and-48. McSparron's punt was 50 yards - caught right at the first-down marker by Charlie Comella before a 10-yard return.

SMU was playing three weeks after a 56-10 victory at home when the temperature was 100 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) just about from start to finish. The Texas heat finally relented on Thursday, and the third day of the month was all clouds, rain and a pleasant 73 degrees.

Both teams are off next week before playing at home Oct. 17. Boston College has Pittsburgh, and SMU plays Virginia in the third of four consecutive home games.

SMU Postgame Notes – October 3, 2026

[21/19] SMU 25, Boston College 16
SMU (4-1, 2-1 ACC), BC (2-3, 0-2 ACC)
Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas
Game Captains: Joshua Bates (#64, OL, Sr.), Brandon Booker (#28, LB, Jr.), Andrew Chamblee (#74, OL, 5^th .), Jimmy Wyrick (#21, S, Gr.)

NEXT GAME

[-/rv] Virginia - Saturday, October 17 – TBD – Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas
TV: TBD
Radio: KTCK 96.7 FM/1310 AM | SMU App/The Varsity APP | Sirius XM
Tickets: smumustangs.com/tickets

TEAM NOTES

SMU is
- SMU is 42-17 under Rhett Lashlee
- SMU is 31-6 in last 37 regular-season games
- SMU is 33-9 in the last 42 games overall
- SMU is 38-6 at Ford Stadium since 2019
- SMU is 16-3 in ACC games
- SMU is 9-0 at home in ACC games
SMU has 42 wins since 2022 (Entered the game with the second most in the State of Texas in that span)
SMU has had at least one takeaway in 36 of the last 41 games

GAME TOTALS

Score: SMU 25, BC 16
Total yards: SMU 218, BC 322
First downs: SMU 21, BC 19
Third downs: SMU 7-14, BC 7-16
Rushing yards: SMU 58, BC 114
Passing yards: SMU 160, BC 208
Tackles for Loss: SMU 13, BC 11
Sacks: SMU 5, BC 2

SMU RECORDS

Kevin Jennings had 153 yards of total offense and now has 9925 total offense for his career, extending the program record
- Entered the game 7^th among NCAA FBS active players
Kevin Jennings had 20 completions and now has 742 for his career, extending the program record
- Entered the game 8^th among NCAA FBS active players
Kevin Jennings had 3 total TDs (2 pass / 1 rush) and now has 81 career TDs responsible for, extending the program record
- Entered the game 9^th among NCAA FBS active players
Kevin Jennings had 160 passing yards and now has 9297 for his career, extending the program record
- Entered the game 6^th among NCAA FBS active players

TOUCHDOWNS

SMU scored 4 TDs
- 2-yard rushing TD from Kendrick Raphael
  - Sixth rushing touchdown of the season, 23rd of his career
- 4-yard rushing TD from Kevin Jennings
  - Second rushing touchdown of the season, 12th of his career
- 14-yard receiving touchdown by Randy Pittman Jr.
  - Third receiving touchdown of the season, eighth of his career
- 20-yard receiving touchdown by Derrick McFall
  - Second receiving touchdown of the season, fourth of his career
- 11^th career game for Kevin Jennings with at least one passing and one rushing touchdown

OFFENSE

SMU recorded 3 explosive plays
- 23-yard rush from Derrick McFall
- 20-yard rush from Kendrick Raphael
- 20-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Jennings to Derrick McFall
SMU had 160 passing yards (entered game No. 1 in the country at 392.5 yards per game)
- Kevin Jennings was 20-30 passing for 160 yards with two touchdowns
- Jalen Cooper 5-45 receiving
- Yamir Kight 5-30 receiving
- Derrick McFall 3-33 receiving, 1 TD
- Randy Pittman 3-23 receiving, 1 TD
SMU had 58 rushing yards
- Kendrick Raphael was 15-45 with 1 TD
- Kevin Jennings 1 rushing TD

DEFENSE

SMU recorded 13 TFLs (entered game 2^nd ACC / 7^th NCAA FBS in TFLs per game at 8.3)
- Back-to-back games with 10+ tackles for loss (11, vs. Missouri State Sept. 26, 2026)
- TFLs: Marques White (3 - tied career high), Aakil Washington (2 - tied career high), Jamal Anderson (1.5), Jarvis Lee (1.5) Jayvon Thomas (1), La'Modrick Spencer (1), Alexander Kilgore (1), Jakai Lang (1), Malcom Alcorn-Crowder (0.5), Carter Davis (0.5)
SMU recorded 5 sacks (entered game 3^rd ACC / 19^th NCAA FBS in sacks per game at 3.0)
- Sacks: Marques White (3 - tied career high), Aakil Washington (1), Jamal Anderson (1)
- Mustangs have 141 since 2023 (Entered the game No. 1 in the country during that time span)
SMU recorded 1 takeaway
- Mustangs have 55 since 2024 (Entered the game No. 9 in the country and tied for the most in the ACC during that span)
Held Boston College to 7-16 on 3^rd down (entered game 1^st ACC / 3^rd NCAA FBS in 3^rd-down defense at 20.4%)
- 18-70 (.257) on 3^rd down this season
SMU recorded 3 Forced Fumbles
- Jarvis Lee (1), Aakil Washington (1), Marques White (1)
  - Second forced fumble this season and seventh of Jarvis Lee's career
  - Second career forced fumble for Washington
SMU recorded 1 Fumble Recovery
- Aakil Washington (1)
  - First career fumble recovery for Washington

IN THE RED-ZONE

SMU was 4-4 on scoring in the red-zone (all TDs)
- The Mustangs are 19-24 on red-zone trips this season

LAST TIME:

The 13 TFLs are the most TFLs in a game since 16 vs California, Nov. 30, 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

The CW
- Kevin Jennings 4-yard rushing touchdown - https://x.com/SMUFB/status/2106432208080712076?s=20
- Kendrick Raphael 2-yard rushing touchdown - https://x.com/SMUFB/status/2106420081836056822?s=20
- Aakil Washington fumble recovery - https://x.com/SMUFB/status/2106447727722946632?s=20
- Kevin Jennings 14-yard TD pass to Randy Pittman Jr.- https://x.com/SMUFB/status/2106450317059428462?s=20
- Kevin Jennings 20-yard TD pass to Derrick McFall https://x.com/SMUFB/status/2106462050805559407?s=20
SMU Radio Network (Highlights) – KTCK "The Ticket" 96.7 FM, 1310 AM (Rich Phillips pxp, Scott Garner analyst, Steve Lansdale sideline)
SMU Postgame Press Conference

K7NG OF DALLAS, Kevin Jennings Heisman Campaign

Kevin Jennings (#7, QB, 5^th) – Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Second Team, DCTF All-Texas Second Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Second Team, Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List, Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, Senior Bowl Top 300 Watch List, Johnny Unitas Gold Arm Award Preseason Watch List, Manning Award Preseason Watch List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Preseason Watch List
- 23-8 as a starter
- 20-30 passing for 160 yards with 2 TDs and a rushing TD
  - TDs to:
    - 14-yard TD pass to Randy Pittman Jr.
    - 20-yard TD pass to Derrick McFall
- 11th career game with at least one rushing and one passing touchdown
- 153 yards of total offense (entered the game
- 1588 passing this season (entered the game 2^nd ACC / 1^stNCAA in passing yards per game)
- 14 passing TDs this season (entered the game 3rd ACC / 5th NCAA in passing TDs)
- 2 TD passes, now has 69 for his career (3^rd at SMU)
- 3 TDs responsible for, now has 81 for his career (Extends SMU CAREER RECORD)
- 153 yards of total offense, now has 9925 for his career (Extends SMU CAREER RECORD)
- 160 passing yards, now has 9297 for his career (Extends SMU CAREER RECORD)
- 20 completions, now has 742 for his career (Extends SMU CAREER RECORD)

CAREER TD PASSES
1	Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22	72
2	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	71
3	Kevin Jennings, 2022-26	69

ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Tavion Atkinson (#6, DE, Jr.)
- 2 tackles
Joshua Bates (#64, OL, Sr.) - Campbell Award Semifinalist, Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC First Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC First Team, All-ACC Preseason Team, Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, Rimmington Trophy Preseason Watch List
- Has started all 18 games at SMU
Brandon Booker (#28, LB, Jr.) - Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Fourth Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Fourth Team
- Started 16 straight games
- 4 tackles
Jalen Cooper (#10, WR, So.)
- 5-45 receiving
- Led SMU in receiving yards
Jalen Hale (#2, WR, Sr.) - College Football Comeback Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
- 2-7 receiving
Alexander Kilgore (#54, LB, Sr.) - DCTF All-Texas First Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Fourth Team, Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
- 5 tackles, 1 TFL
Yamir Knight (#8, WR, Sr.) - Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Third Team, DCTF All-Texas Second Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Second Team, Bruce Feldman's College Football's Freaks List
- 2-22 receiving
Jarvis Lee (#1, S, Sr.) - Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Fourth Team
- 9 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1.5 TFLs
  - Second forced fumble of the season, seventh of his career
  - Led SMU in tackles
Derrick McFall (#0, WR/RB, Jr.) - Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Fourth Team
- 3-33 receiving, 1 TD, 5-23 rushing
  - Second receiving touchdown of the season, fourth of his career
  - Led SMU in all-purpose yards with 56
Randy Pittman (#5, TE, Sr.) - Mackey Award Preseason Watch List
- 3-23 receiving, 1 TD
  - Third receiving touchdown of the season, eighth of his career
Addison Nichols (#63, OL, 5^th) - Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Second Team
- Has started all 18 games at SMU
Theo Melin Ohrstrom (#18, TE, 5^th) - Senior Bowl Top 300 Watch List
Kendrick Raphael (#6, RB, Sr.) - Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Third Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Third Team, Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List
- 15-45 rushing with a TD
  - Sixth rushing touchdown of the season, 23rd of his career
Aakil Washington (#58, DE, Gr.)
- 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery (34-yard return)
  - Second career forced fumble
  - First career fumble recovery
PJ Williams (#59, OL, 5^th) - Phil Steele Preseason All-America Second Team, Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC First Team, DCTF All-Texas First Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Fourth Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC First Team, All-ACC Preseason Team, Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, On3 Preseason All-America Third Team, Senior Bowl Top 300 Watch List, Pro Football Network Top 100 NFL Draft Prospect, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Preseason Watch List
- Has started the last 31 games he has played
Marques White (#16, DE, Sr.)
- 7 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 TFLs, 1 forced fumble
  - Tied career high for sacks and tackles for loss