DALLAS (AP) — Kevin Jennings threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score and No. 21 SMU beat Boston College 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. 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.
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.
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.
The takeaway
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: Coach Rhett 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.
Fourth-and-50 is not a typo
The Mustangs faced fourth-and-50 after getting the ball at the Boston College 44-yard line when coach Bill 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.
Up next
Both teams are off next week before playing at home October 17. Boston College has Pitt, and SMU plays Virginia in the third of four consecutive home games.