By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Power Outrage Game! SMU Mustangs defeated Florida State Seminoles, 27-24 on Monday night. A two-hour delay followed a power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium.
The Mustangs had four turnovers but still managed to come out victorious. Neither team played well, but the Mustangs made enough plays to win. Kicker Nick Reed hit the game-winning 20-yard field goal to give the Mustangs the lead late in the fourth quarter.
If the Mustangs want to be a top team this season, they have to go back to the drawing board and clean up their turnovers. Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings had a great night. Jennings was outstanding in the first half. He made big throws to Jaylen Cooper and Yannick Smith. Jennings finished the game completing 26 of his 36 passes for 430 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Smith had five receptions with 107 yards. Smith made a big play in the fourth quarter by breaking tackles and took it all the way for a 79-yard touchdown. Running back Raphael Kendrick had 75 yards on 12 carries.
In the third quarter, both teams combined with missed opportunities, turnovers, and solid defense. Florida State junior cornerback Nehemiah Chandler got an interception in the end zone. It was the start of many turnovers for SMU.
Florida State’s offense struggled. Quarterback Ashton Daniels made 17 of 27 completions with 202 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Mustangs’ defense made several key plays. Their second-half defense was better than the first half. The Seminoles coaching staff got outcoached, and some of their playmaking calls were head-scratching decisions. Seminoles’ head coach is in the hot seat coming into this game.
After losing to the Mustangs, there’s a chance that his days at Florida State are numbered. The Seminoles haven’t been the same since they went 13-0 and missed the playoffs a few seasons ago. The Seminoles weren’t great last week against New Mexico State.
Florida State will play at Alabama on September 19. SMU will host the U.C. Davis Aggies on September 12, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium at 3:00 PM CST.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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