SMU's Kevin Jennings Reveals Key To Fast Start From New Additions

The SMU Mustangs escaped with a 27-24 win over Florida State to get their season off and running on the right note.

Kevin Jennings led the game-winning drive, which ended with a chip shot field goal attempt for Nick Reed, which he converted.

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In what was a back-and-forth game despite the Mustangs having the better of Florida State in all the major stats, it was self-inflicted wounds that hurt the Mustangs.

Luckily, it didn't cost them the game.

Now a couple of days removed from that wild night, how is Jennings recovering?

"Feeling pretty good," Jennings said. "A little sore certain areas, but it's a game of football, so I'm feeling good overall. Got the dub, so good feeling."

And it was a host of new players that helped the Mustangs get the win.

Tight end Randy Pittman Jr. (75 yards, 1 TD), Yannick Smith (107 yards, 1 TD), Jalen Hale (70 receiving yards), and Kendrick Raphael (75 rushing yards) all had a seriously good debut for the Mustangs in a hostile environment.

Considering it was the first game those players had played with Jennings and the offense, to be able to be that productive is a feather in the cap of the coaching staff, but also the players.

While it wasn't perfect, it was certainly good enough to push the Mustangs to a win.

But what allowed those players, who were playing for the first time as Mustangs, to play so well?

"Yeah, I think it just come in from the work we've been putting in since January," Jennings added. "Honestly, we all got here January, and just started putting the work in immediately. I think all our connection showed Monday night, and we just continue to build to get better."

If those new additions can perform like that in their first game, then what this offense could look like a few weeks from now, after they build chemistry, will be fascinating to watch.

The Mustangs were a good value for their road win to start the year, and yes, there is plenty to clean up, as there is after most games, but those new additions deserve praise here.

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First game, and they produced, more often than not, at crucial times.

And if they continue to build and get better, as Jennings says, then this Mustangs team could be serious trouble for rivals down the road.