Kevin Jennings overcame self-inflicted wounds with 430 passing yards and a late field goal to propel the Mustangs past the Seminoles in a chaotic Tallahassee thriller.
SMU had to wait an extra hour and 45 minutes to begin its season.
Then it needed nearly every second available to win its opener.
A power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium delayed Monday night's scheduled 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff until 8:15 p.m. CT, with the stadium operating under limited power once play began.
Once the lights were bright enough to play football, No. 19 SMU survived four turnovers to beat Florida State 27-24 in Tallahassee. Kevin Jennings threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns before Nick Reed kicked the go-ahead field goal with 21 seconds remaining.
Here's how the Mustangs escaped with the win:
FIRST QUARTER:
SMU moved into Florida State territory on its opening possession before Jalen Hale fumbled, but the defense responded with a three-and-out highlighted by Jimmy Wyrick's sack.
Jennings struck on the next possession, finding Jalen Cooper for a 50-yard touchdown.
Florida State answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped by Ashton Daniels' 8-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7.
FIRST QUARTER TAKEAWAYS:
1. Jennings started aggressively - Jennings ripped off a 14-yard run and completed passes of 19, 50 and 30 yards during SMU's first three possessions.
2. Cooper provided the first explosion - His 50-yard touchdown gave SMU the lead and accounted for most of his 71 receiving yards.
3. Mistakes appeared immediately - Hale's fumble erased a promising opening possession, beginning a turnover problem that followed SMU throughout the night.
SECOND QUARTER:
Reed missed a 38-yard field goal before Florida State turned it over on downs.
SMU capitalized on the short field when Jennings found Randy Pittman Jr. for a 10-yard touchdown.
Florida State answered with a 46-yard field goal, but Jennings connected with Hale for 64 yards on SMU's next possession. Reed finished that drive with a 22-yard field goal, giving the Mustangs a 17-10 halftime lead.
SECOND QUARTER TAKEAWAYS:
1. SMU kept finding explosive plays - Hale's 64-yard reception became Jennings' second completion of at least 50 yards.
2. Pittman became another weapon - He finished with five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown as Jennings spread the ball around.
3. SMU still left points behind - A first-half fumble and missed field goal helped keep Florida State within seven despite the Mustangs consistently moving the ball.
THIRD QUARTER:
SMU drove inside the Florida State 10 before Nehemiah Chandler intercepted Jennings.
The Mustangs forced another punt, but Yamir Knight fumbled the return and Florida State recovered at the SMU 29. Ousmane Kromah eventually scored from 7 yards out, tying the game at 17.
THIRD QUARTER TAKEAWAYS:
1. Turnovers changed the game - Jennings' interception and Knight's fumble prevented SMU from extending its lead and gave Florida State a short field.
2. The defense kept answering - SMU forced punts on Florida State's first two possessions of the half before surrendering the tying touchdown.
3. SMU wasted control - A 17-10 halftime advantage disappeared despite Florida State producing only 123 passing yards for the entire game.
FOURTH QUARTER:
Jennings broke the tie with a 79-yard touchdown to Yannick Smith, but Daniels answered with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Singleton Jr.
Jennings then threw his second interception, but SMU forced a three-and-out.
Given another opportunity, Jennings helped drive the Mustangs 71 yards before Reed's 20-yard field goal put SMU ahead with 21 seconds remaining. Florida State's final desperation play ended with a fumble recovered by SMU.
FOURTH QUARTER TAKEAWAYS:
1. Jennings delivered when it mattered - His mistakes were costly, but 430 yards and three touchdowns — including the 79-yarder to Smith — powered SMU's offense.
2. The defense repeatedly bailed SMU out - The Mustangs recorded three sacks and held Florida State to 123 passing yards.
3. SMU survived itself - Four turnovers and a missed field goal created every opportunity for Florida State to win.
The Mustangs found a way anyway … leaving Tallahassee with a 27-24 win after surviving their messiest stretches of the night.
SMU now gets a short turnaround before returning to Dallas for its home opener against UC Davis on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.
