STANFORD, CALIFORNIA — SMU’s road dominance continued on Saturday, as they overpowered Stanford 41-10, extending their road winning streak to eight games. The Mustangs, now 6-1, are enjoying their best start since 2021 and have firmly established themselves as a force in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) under head coach Rhett Lashlee. With a standout performance from quarterback Kevin Jennings and a relentless defense, the Mustangs secured their fourth 450+ yard game this season and added another chapter to their historic run.
Kevin Jennings Leads the Charge
Sophomore quarterback Kevin Jennings (#7) had a career day, lighting up the Stanford defense with 322 passing yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-27 passing. His 322 passing yards set a new personal best, and his three touchdown passes tied his career-high. Jennings was particularly sharp in the first quarter, going 6-for-8 for 205 yards and all three of his touchdown passes.
This was Jennings’ second straight game with over 300 total yards of offense, amassing 340 yards against Stanford (322 passing, 18 rushing). His first-quarter performance was the most passing yards and touchdowns by an SMU quarterback in the opening quarter since Preston Stone’s 275-yard, three-touchdown effort against Navy on November 25, 2023.
Jennings spread the ball around efficiently, with his touchdown passes going to:
- Moochie Dixon: 87-yard touchdown, the eighth-longest pass play in SMU history
- Key’Shawn Smith: 45-yard touchdown
- RJ Maryland: 38-yard touchdown
The Mustangs’ offensive firepower was evident from the opening snap, as Jennings connected with Moochie Dixon for an 87-yard touchdown on the first play of the game.
LJ Johnson Adds Ground Firepower
While Jennings was tearing apart Stanford’s secondary, running back LJ Johnson made his mark in the red zone. Johnson rushed for two touchdowns, a career-high, with short-yardage scores from five and one yard out. His contributions helped balance the offense, ensuring Stanford’s defense could not key in on the passing game.
Defensive Takeaways and Pressure Dominate Stanford
SMU’s defense continued to excel, forcing two turnovers, including interceptions by Deuce Harmon and Isaiah Nwokobia. Harmon’s pick was his first of the season and third of his career, while Nwokobia’s interception marked his second of the season and eighth in his career. These two interceptions were part of a larger trend for SMU, which has recorded 17 takeaways in the last six games and at least one takeaway in each of those games. The Mustangs entered the game ranked third in the FBS in takeaways and fifth in interceptions, a stat that continues to define their defensive success.
SMU’s defense didn’t just rely on turnovers. They applied constant pressure on Stanford’s quarterbacks, recording a season-high six sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Leading the charge was Jahfari Harvey, who posted a career-high two sacks and three tackles for loss. Isaiah Smith and Elijah Roberts also chipped in with 1.5 TFLs each, while Cale Sanders added a sack that resulted in a safety in the fourth quarter—the second safety for SMU this season.
SMU Defense by the Numbers:
- 6 Sacks: Led by Jahfari Harvey (2), Isaiah Smith (1.5), and Cale Sanders (1)
- 11 Tackles for Loss: Highlighted by Harvey (3) and Elijah Roberts (1.5)
- 2 Interceptions: Deuce Harmon and Isaiah Nwokobia
- 1 Safety: Cale Sanders (sack, 4th quarter)
A Versatile Receiving Corps
Another highlight of SMU’s offensive performance was the diversity in their passing game. Jennings completed passes to eight different receivers, continuing a trend of spreading the ball around. In fact, SMU has had at least seven different players catch a pass in each of their last 24 games. This ability to involve multiple players keeps opposing defenses guessing and allows for greater offensive flexibility.
SMU’s Dominant Stat Line
The Mustangs dominated in every statistical category, particularly in yards per play and total yards. Here’s a breakdown of their superiority on both sides of the ball:
- Total Yards: SMU 501, Stanford 206
- Yards per Play: SMU 7.7, Stanford 2.9
- Rushing Yards: SMU 179, Stanford 33
- Sacks: SMU 6, Stanford 3
- Tackles for Loss: SMU 11, Stanford 4
At the end of the first quarter, SMU had already jumped out to a 21-0 lead, outgaining Stanford 243-16. By halftime, the Mustangs were in complete control, up 31-7 and outgaining the Cardinal 364-92.
What’s Next for SMU?
With their 6-1 record and their second consecutive game of pure dominance, SMU looks poised to continue their upward trajectory. They’ve now won 14 of their last 15 regular-season games and are 22-1 under Lashlee when scoring at least 30 points—a mark they’ve hit consistently. Furthermore, their 3-0 record in conference play makes them the first team to start undefeated in conference after transitioning from a Group of 5 to a Power 4/5 conference.
SMU’s blend of explosive offense and relentless defense has made them one of the most dangerous teams in the AAC. Next week, SMU will hit the road again to take on Duke, looking to extend their road winning streak to nine games. With their current momentum, the Mustangs are well-positioned to continue their dominance and make a deep run in the conference.
The Mustangs’ journey under Rhett Lashlee is far from over, and with Jennings at the helm and a defense that continues to wreak havoc, SMU fans have plenty to be excited about. Stay tuned—this team has the potential to make history.
