SMU Survives Early Mistakes, Slams Door On Virginia In 23-13 Win

DALLAS - It wasn't always pretty, and some questionable fourth-down decisions made things unnecessarily difficult, but No. 24 SMU found a way to take care of business Saturday afternoon.

Quarterback Kevin Jennings threw two touchdown passes, Kendrick Raphael rushed for 124 yards, and the Mustangs pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 23-13 victory over Virginia at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

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The win improved SMU to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, keeping Rhett Lashlee's team firmly in the conference championship conversation. Virginia dropped to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the ACC.

Jennings completed 23 of 36 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, providing the steady leadership SMU needed after a frustrating opening half.

The Mustangs moved the football effectively early but repeatedly struggled to finish possessions. Lashlee's aggressive fourth-down approach contributed to the problems, including a failed fourth-and-1 attempt from SMU's own 34-yard line on the game's opening possession.

Virginia briefly seized control in the second quarter when quarterback Beau Pribula scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Cavaliers a 7-3 advantage.

Jennings answered with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Roderick Pittman, putting SMU back in front.

The teams traded field goals before halftime, with Baylor Baird connecting from 45 yards in the closing seconds to send the Mustangs into the locker room leading 13-10.

SMU extended its advantage to 16-10 on Baird's 26-yard field goal in the third quarter, but Virginia kicker Will Bettridge answered from 43 yards to cut the margin to three.

That's when Jennings delivered the game's biggest play.

Early in the fourth quarter, the veteran quarterback connected with Jalen Hale for a 37-yard touchdown, giving the Mustangs a 23-13 lead with 12:22 remaining.

Virginia never recovered.

SMU's defense held the Cavaliers scoreless in the final quarter and limited them to just 258 total yards for the afternoon. Pribula completed 13 of 22 passes for 137 yards, while Virginia managed only one offensive touchdown.

Raphael provided the physical presence SMU needed on the ground, carrying 22 times for 124 yards. Yannick Smith added five receptions for 87 yards, while Hale finished with four catches for 60 yards and the decisive touchdown.

The Mustangs finished with 404 yards of offense and committed no turnovers.

Still, Saturday's performance wasn't without concerns. SMU's willingness to gamble on fourth down and its occasional inability to finish drives could become significant liabilities against stronger ACC opponents.

For now, however, Lashlee's team has won three consecutive games and remains unbeaten at home.

SMU returns to Gerald J. Ford Stadium next Saturday to face California, looking to strengthen its position in the ACC race.

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The Mustangs didn't deliver their cleanest performance against Virginia.

But they delivered the only result that ultimately matters: another victory.