No. 22 SMU Defeats Missouri State, 34-24, Behind Jennings’ Record-Breaking Night

No. 22 SMU Defeats Missouri State, 34-24, Behind Jennings’ Record-Breaking Night

Saturday, September 26

Dallas, Texas

8pm CT

SMU

3-1 , 1-1

Missouri State

1-3 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Missouri St.	10	0	0	14	24
SMU	0	14	7	13	34

SMU CONSECUTIVE COMPLETIONS

Kevin Jennings, Missouri State 2026

Josh McCown at Tulsa, 1999

Kevin Jennings, Syracuse 2025

Kevin Jennings, Florida St/at Louisville 2024

Sep 26 | Football

Box Score

Jennings Throws For 464 Yards, Knight And Cooper Both Go For Over 100 Yards Receiving In Home Win

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

DALLAS (AP) -- Kevin Jennings threw for 464 yards to become SMU's career passing leader as the No. 22 Mustangs overcame an early 10-point deficit for a 34-24 win over Missouri State and the coach who used to be his offensive coordinator.

Jennings finished 33-of-39 passing, including a school-record 21 consecutive completions, with three touchdowns and an interception. Tight end Theo Melin Ohrstrom had two of the scores, while Yamir Knight had 11 catches for 164 yards with a late 28-yard TD. Jalen Cooper caught eight passes for 125 yards.

With his 722 career completions and 9,162 yards passing, Jennings surpassed the 9,081 yards and 718 completions Ben Hicks had from 2016-18. Jennings also had a 1-yard TD run and his 78 TDs responsible for (67 passing, 11 rushing) broke Tanner Mordecai's previous school record of 76 in that category.

While Jennings already had 291 yards passing and Knight 125 receiving by halftime, the Mustangs (3-1) had two turnovers in the first quarter that Missouri State (1-3) converted into a 10-0 lead.

A 19-yard TD pass from Jennings to Ohrstrom with 4 seconds left in the first half finally put the Mustangs ahead 14-10. Jennings' scoring run ended their first drive after the break.

First-year Missouri State coach Casey Woods was SMU's offensive coordinator the past four seasons, and helped recruit Jennings. Woods and SMU coach Rhett Lashlee are longtime friends who also were on staff together at Arkansas State after being low-level assistants at Auburn when the Tigers won the 2010 national championship.

Joel Boamah's 60-yard interception return for a touchdown, a bad pass that Jennings threw right to the cornerback, put Missouri State up 10-0 with 41 seconds left in the first quarter. That came only four plays after Yousef Obeid's 35-yard field goal set up by Martavis Blackmon's recovery inside the Bears 10 when Knight fumbled at the end of a 23-yard gain.

Kendrick Raphael had 96 yards rushing for SMU, including a 1-yard TD run early in the second quarter. That capped a 78-yard, 11-play drive that included an unnecessary roughness penalty against defensive tackle Tim Brantley when he shoved down Jennings after an incompletion on third-and-goal.

The Mustangs rebounded from their 41-31 loss at Louisville, but were far from sharp as a more than four-TD favorite in their last non-ACC game. Along with the two early turnovers, the Mustangs' opening drive of the game ended with an incompletion on fourth-and-3 from the 30 and they missed two field goals.

Up next, SMU plays its first ACC home game against Boston College next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. CT at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

SMU Postgame Notes – September 26, 2026

[22/25] SMU 34, Missouri State 24
SMU (3-1), MSU (1-3)
Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas
Game Captains: Joshua Bates (#64, OL, Sr.), Brandon Booker (#28, LB, Jr.), Theo Melin Ohrstrom (#18, TE, 5th), Marques White (#16, DE, Gr)

NEXT GAME

Boston College - Saturday, October 3 – 11am CT – Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas
TV: The CW & ESPN App
Radio: KTCK 96.7 FM/1310 AM | SMU App/The Varsity APP | Sirius XM
Tickets: smumustangs.com/tickets

GAME TOTALS

Score: SMU 34, MSU 24
Total yards: SMU 592, MSU 239
First downs: SMU 29, MSU 14
Third downs: SMU 8-12, MSU 4-16
Rushing yards: SMU 128, MSU 68
Passing yards: SMU 464, MSU 171
Tackles for Loss: SMU 11, MSU 3
Sacks: SMU 7, MSU 1
SMU recorded 592 yards (464 passing / 128 rushing yards)
- At least 479 yards in each game this season

SMU SINGLE-GAME TOTAL YARDS
1	Temple, 10-26-2013 (W, 59-49)	728
2	at North Texas, 9-19-2020 (W, 65-35)	710
3	Temple, 10-19-2019 (W, 45-21)	655
4	Houston Baptist, 9-29-2018 (W, 63-27)	653
5	Houston, 11-5-2022 (W, 77-63)	642
6	Texas State, 9-14-1019 (W, 47-17)	639
7	Tulsa, 10-28-2023 (W, 69-10)	638
8	at TCU, 9-28-1985 (W, 56-21)	636
	ECU 9-19-2019 (W, 59-51)	636
10	UCF, 11-13-2021 (W, 55-28)	631
11	at Rice, 11-11-1978 (W, 58-0)	618
12	Tulane, 10-21-2021 (W, 55-26)	612
13	at TCU, 9-25-2021 (W, 42-34)	595
	Houston Christian, 8-31-2024 (W, 59-7)	595
15	at Connecticut 11-10-2018 (W, 62-50)	594
16	Missouri State (W, 34-24), 9-26-2026	592
17	Texas A&M, 11-11-1950 (L, 25-20)	586
18	at Florida State, 9-7-2026 (W, 27-24)	585

SMU RECORDS

Kevin Jennings had 467 yards of total offense and now has 9797 total offense for his career, extends the program record.
Kevin Jennings completed an SMU-record 21 consecutive passes
- 2nd most consecutive passes completed in ACC history
Kevin Jennings had a career-high 33 completions and set the SMU career completions record, now at 722
Keving Jennings had 4 total TDs (3 pass / 1 rush) and set the SMU record for career TDs responsible for with 78
Kevin Jennings had a career-high 464 passing yards to set the SMU career passing yards record, now at 9162

CAREER COMPLETIONS
1	Kevin Jennings, 2022-26	722
2	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	718

CAREER TDs RESPONSIBLE FOR (Pass/Run)
1	Kevin Jennings, 2022-26		78
2	Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22 (72/4)		76
3	Ben Hicks, 2016-18 (71/3)		74
CAREER PASSING YARDS
1	Kevin Jennings 2022-26	9162
2	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	9081

TOUCHDOWNS

SMU scored 5 TD
- 1-yard rushing TD by Kendrick Raphel
  - 5^th of the season, 22^nd of his career
  - Third consecutive game with a rushing TD
- 19-yard receiving TD by Theo Melin Ohrstrom from Kevin Jennings
- 1-yard rushing TD by Kevin Jennings
  - 1^st rushing TD of the season, 11^th career rushing TD
- 28-yard receiving TD by Yamir Knight from Kevin Jennings
- 23-yard receiving TD by Theo Melin Ohrstrom from Kevin Jennings
  - Second multi-TD game for Theo Melin Ohrstrom this season

OFFENSE

SMU recorded 10 explosive plays
- Kendrick Raphel 36-yard reception
  - Season-long reception
- Yamir Knight 29-yard reception
- Kendrick Raphel 21-yard rush
- Jalen Cooper 27-yard reception
- Jalen Cooper 28-yard reception
- Yamir Knight 27-yard reception
- Drameko Green 26-yard reception
- Jalen Cooper 32-yard reception
- Yamir Knight 28-yard touchdown reception
- Theo Melin Ohrstrom 23-yard touchdown
SMU had 464 passing yards
- Kevin Jennings was 33-39 passing for 464 yards
- Jennings completed 21 consecutive passes, the most in program history
- Yamir Kight 11-164 receiving with a TD
  - 4^th 100 receiving game in his career, 1^st this season
  - Career-high receptions and receiving yards
- Jalen Cooper 8-125 receiving
  - Career-high receiving yards and receptions
SMU had 128 rushing yards
- Kendrick Raphael was 23-98 with a TD

DEFENSE

SMU recorded a season-high 11 TFLs
- TFLs: Brandon Booker (2.5+), Tyren Polley Jr (0.5+), Aakil Washington (0.5+), Christian Davis (1.5+), Tavion Atkinson (1+), Alexander Kilgore (0.5+), Marques White (0.5+), Jarvis Lee (1+)
SMU recorded a season-high 7 sacks
- Tavion Atkinson (2), Brandon Booker (1.5), Marques White (1.5), Christian Davis (1), Jahkai Lang (1)
  - Davis' second career sack
  - First career sack for Atkinson
  - Career-high 1.5 sacks for Booker
  - First sack of the season for White
- Mustangs have 136 since 2023 (Entered the game No. 2 in the country during that time span)
SMU recorded 1 turnovers
- Mustangs have 54 since 2024 (Entered the game No. 9 in the country and tied for the most in the ACC during that span)
Held Missouri State to 4-16 on 3^rd down
- 11-54 (.204) on 3^rd down this season (entered the game No. 1 in the ACC and No. 3 in the country in opponent 3^rd down percentage)

100 CLUB

SMU had 3 player record over 100 all-purpose yards
- Kendrick Raphel – 23-98 rushing w/ a TD, 4-48 receiving 146 all-purpose yards
  - Had 110 all-purpose yards in the first half (62 rush / 48 rec)
- Yamir Knight – 11-164 receiving w/ a TD, 3-44 punt return, 208 all-purpose yards
  - Had 152 all-purpose yards in the first half (125 rec / 27 pr)
- Jalen Cooper – 8-125 receiving
- Second time this season SMU has had at least two players with over 100 all-purpose yards (at Florida State 9/7)

IN THE RED-ZONE

SMU was 3-5 on scoring in the red-zone
- The Mustangs are 15-20 on red-zone trips this season

TEAM NOTES

Scoring Quick
- SMU had 2 scoring drive of 2-minutes or less.
- The Mustangs have 10 scoring drives of 2-minutes or less this season and 25 since the start of 2025
SMU is
- SMU is 41-17 under Rhett Lashlee
- SMU is 30-6 in last 36 regular-season games
- SMU is 32-9 in the last 41 games overall
- SMU is 37-6 at Ford Stadium since 2019
SMU is 34-5 under Rhett Lashlee when scoring at least 30 points
SMU has 41 wins since 2022 (Entered the game with the second most in the State of Texas in that span)
SMU had 8 Mustangs catch a pass
- At least 7 players have a catch in 45 of the past 48 games
- At least 8 in each game this season
SMU has had at least one takeaway in 35 of the last 40 games

LAST TIME:

SMU had two 100-yard receivers in a game for the first time since at Boston College 11/8/25 (Yamir Knight 162, Jordan Hudson 104)
SMU had three players with over 100 all-purpose yards for the first time since at Boston College 11/8/25 (TJ Harden 130, Yamir Knight 162, Jordan Hudson 104
Yamir Knight had 11 receptions - first Mustang with 10+ since Jordan Hudson (11) vs. Miami, Nov. 1, 2025
SMU had 7 sacks, the most since recording seven at Boston College (11/8/2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

ACC Network
- Kevin Jennings throws 19-yard TD pass to Theo Melin Ohrstrom - https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/50039282
- Kendrick Raphael rushes in for 1-yard TD- https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/50039104
- Kevin Jennigns rushes in for 1-yard TD https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/50039685
- Brandon Booker Interception https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/50039912
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
- 22-8 as a starter
- 33-39 passing for 464 yards with 3 TDs
  - 4^th in SMU history for passing yards
  - 84.6% completions is 2^nd in SMU history
  - TDs to: Yamir Knight & Theo Melin Ohrstrom (2)
- Career highs for completions and yards in a game
- Jennings completed 21 consecutive passes, the most consecutive passes completed in SMU history
- 10^th 300-yard passing game of his career, the 4^th most in SMU history
  - 3^rd 300-yard passing game this season
- 2^nd 400-yard passing game of the season and career
- 3 rushing yards with 464 yards passing for 467 yards of total offense
  - T-5^th in a game at SMU
- 1453 passing this season (entered the game 1^st ACC / 6^th NCAA in passing yards per game)
- 12 passing TDs this season (entered the game 2^nd ACC / 6^th NCAA in passing TDs)
- 3 TD passes, now has 67 for his career
- 4 TDs responsible for, now has 78 for his career (sets SMU RECORD)
- 467 yards of total offense, now has 9797 for his career (Extends SMU CAREER RECORD)

CAREER PASSING YARDS
1	Kevin Jennings 2022-26	9162
2	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	9081

CAREER COMPLETIONS
1	Kevin Jennings, 2022-26	722
2	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	718

CAREER TD PASSES
1	Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22	72
2	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	71
3	Kevin Jennings, 2022-26	67

CAREER TDs RESPONSIBLE FOR (Pass/Run)
1	Kevin Jennings, 2022-26	78
2	Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22 (72/4)	76
3	Ben Hicks, 2016-18 (71/3)	74

CAREER 300-YD PASSING GAMES
1	Tanner Mordecai, 2021-22	13
2	Ben Hicks, 2016-18	12
	Shane Buechele, 2019-20	12
4	Kevin Jennings, 2022-26	10
5	Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13	9

SMU SINGLE-GAME COMPLETION PCT. (Min. 20 Completions)
1	Justin Willis (20-23), Marshall, 2006	87.0
2	Kevin Jennings, Missouri State 9/26/2026	84.6
3	Kevin Jennings (29-35), Syracuse 10-4-2025	82.9
4	Shane Buechele (23-28), Navy 2020	82.1
5	Garrett Gilbert (38-47), at Cincinnati, 2013	80.9
6	Tanner Mordecai (24-30), Abilene Christian 9/4/2021	80.0
7	Kevin Jennings (29-37), Louisville 11/22/2025	78.4
8	Kyle Padron (32-41), vs. Nevada, 12/24/2009	78.0
	Justin Willis (28-36), Tulane 10/20/2007	77.8
10	Kevin Jennings (21-27), at Louisville 10/5/2024	77.8
11	Kevin Jennings (25-33), at Virginia 11/23/2024	75.8

SINGLE-GAME TOTAL OFFENSE - YARDS
1	Garrett Gilbert, Temple, 2013	635
2	Shane Buechele, Memphis 10/3/2020	501
3	Garrett Gilbert, Rutgers, 2013	498
4	Justin Willis, at Memphis, '07	489
5	Kyle Padron, vs. Nevada, 2009	467
	Kevin Jennings, Missouri State, 9/26/26	467
7	Kevin Jennings, at Florida State, 9/7/2026	463
8	Tanner Mordecai, Tulane, 10/21/2021	461
9	Shane Buechele, Temple, 10/19/2019	453
10	Tanner Mordecai, at La Tech 9/18/2021	446

SMU SINGLE-GAME PASSING YARDS
1	Garrett Gilbert, Temple, 2013	538
2	Garrett Gilbert, Rutgers, 2013	484
3	Shane Buechele, Memphis 10/3/2020	474
4	Kevin Jennings, Missouri State, 9/26/26	464
5	Kyle Padron, vs. Nevada, 2009	460
6	Shane Buechele, Temple 10/19/2019	457
7	Shane Buechele, at Memphis 11/2/2019	456
8	Mike Romo, North Texas, 1989	450
9	Mike Romo, at Rice, 1990	449
10	Tanner Mordecai, at North Texas, 9/3/2022	432
11	Kevin Jennings, at Florida State, 9/7/26	430

ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Tavion Atkinson (#6, DE, Jr.)
- Recorded a career-high 8 tackles, including first 2 sacks of his career
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 17 games at SMU
Brandon Booker (#28, LB, Jr.) - Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Fourth Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Fourth Team
- Started for 15^th time in past 15 games
- Recorded career highs of 1.5 sacks & 2.5 TFLs
- First career interception
Jalen Cooper (#10, WR, So.)
- 8-125 receiving
Dramekco Green (#4, RB, So.)
- 10-26 rushing, 2-41 receiving
Jalen Hale (#2, WR, Sr.) - College Football Comeback Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
- 1-9 receiving, 1-2 rushing
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, including 0.5 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
- 11-164 receiving, 1 TD
  - Career highs for receptions and yards
Jarvis Lee (#1, S, Sr.) - Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Fourth Team
- 5 tackles, TFL, pass breakup and a QBH
Randy Pittman (#5, TE, Sr.) - Mackey Award Preseason Watch List
- 3-27 receiving
Addison Nichols (#63, OL, 5^th) - Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Second Team
- Has started all 17 games at SMU
Theo Melin Ohrstrom (#18, TE, 5^th) - Senior Bowl Top 300 Watch List
- 3-49 receiving with 2 TDs
- Second time this season with 2 TDs
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
- 23-98 rushing with a TD
- 4-48 receiving
- 146 all-purpose yards (2^nd straight game with 100+)
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
- DNP - Has started the last 30 games he has played