No. 19 SMU Beats Florida State 27-24 on Nick Reed’s Late Field Goal
Kevin Jennings passed for 430 yards and three touchdowns as SMU overcame four turnovers and a nearly two-hour delay.
- On Monday, No. 19 SMU defeated Florida State 27-24 at Doak Campbell Stadium after a nearly two-hour power outage delayed kickoff from 7:35 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
- Head Coach Mike Norvell faced mounting pressure entering the game with a 38-34 record after consecutive losing seasons, and the Tallahassee crowd booed him during a video board announcement.
- SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings completed 26 of 36 passes for 430 yards and three touchdowns, including a 50-yard pass to Jalen Cooper and a 10-yard pass to Randy Pittman, while Florida State managed just 336 yards and converted only 2 of 15 third-down attempts.
- The loss dropped Norvell's record to 39-35 as Yahoo Sports columnist Dan Wolken wrote, "This is really embarrassing for Florida State," extending a troubling trend since the Seminoles' 13-0 start in 2023.
- Florida State enters a bye week before traveling to face Alabama on September 19 in Tuscaloosa, while SMU hosts UC Davis on Saturday and the Seminoles' band prepares for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade next year.
23 Articles
23 Articles
No. 19 SMU 27, Florida St. 24
5 thoughts from SMU-Florida State: Jennings' late-night heroics just enough for Mustangs
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As the last team in the nation to begin their 2026 season, SMU knew it'd have to be patient ahead of kickoff at Florida State on Monday night. Little did the Mustangs know, an hour-and-40-minute delay due…
Last-minute field goal lets No. 19 SMU escape with win at Florida State
Nick Reed's 20-yard field goal with 21 seconds left helped No. 19 SMU overcome a mistake-laden performance and escape with a 27-24 season-opening win over Florida State on Monday night in Tallahassee, Fla.The Mustangs dominated the game in most phases ...
Jennings, SMU overcome miscues, delay, top FSU
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings shook off a pair of interceptions to lead the No. 19 Mustangs' winning scoring drive, capped by Nick Reed's 20-yard field goal with 21 seconds to play, and the road team wrapped up a 27-24 win over Florida State on Monday.
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