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SMU's Kevin Jennings Offers Glass-Half-Full Approach To Syracuse Loss
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- SMU's Kevin Jennings Offers Glass-Half-Full Approach To Syracuse Loss
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The SMU Mustangs lost just their second game of the season, falling 30-27 to Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome.
The Mustangs were riding the wave of a winning streak, and were just 17 seconds away from extending it, but a late touchdown from Syracuse broke SMU hearts, and now Rhett Lashlee's team is forced to lick their wounds ahead of a huge Virginia Tech clash up next.
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SMU once again put up over 400 yards of total offense. Kevin Jennings threw for 351 yards and 2 TDs with no interceptions, but the Mustangs did have two fumbles, which proved crucial.
The run game with Kendrick Raphael failed to get rolling, as he totaled just 51 yards and a touchdown from 14 carries, and the Mustangs still managed to put up 27 points.
READ MORE: SMU's Rhett Lashlee Left Lamenting Self-Inflicted Wounds In Syracuse Loss
But that final drive, the defense just couldn't get the stop it needed, and now at 6-2, the Mustangs need to steady the ship.
However, for Jennings, when assessing his own game and the team's performance, he isn't as down on it as others.
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"Definitely a couple plays I went back, but other than that, we went out there and played a fair game, and they just played better than us," Jennings said . "Wasn't a whole lot of wrong that we did. It was just in certain crucial moments we missed them and gave them an opportunity to win the game."
READ MORE: Five Virginia Tech Offensive Stars SMU Must Stop Friday Night
The Mustangs extended their lead with a touchdown with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, and some thought SMU would hold on to secure the win.
But a field goal with five minutes left brought Syracuse to within three points at 27-24.
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SMU had a chance to see out the game on offense, but failed to do so, allowing Steve Angeli to orchestrate a game-winning drive that ended with a Noah Meyers touchdown with just 17 seconds left.
So, you could make the case that aside from that final drive, the Mustangs had played well enough to win the game, the defense just couldn't get the stop it needed, and now, SMU doesn't control its own destiny in the ACC.
A double-blow for the Mustangs. Even if Jennings isn't as down on the performance as others.
