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In a pivotal clash in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the SMU Mustangs (5-1, 2-0) earned a hard-fought road victory over the No. 22 Louisville Cardinals (3-2, 1-1). The win propels the Mustangs into the competition for the ACC championship and enhances their prospects as a dark horse contender for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
For the Cardinals, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow. After falling to No. 14 Notre Dame (4-1) in Week 5, this second consecutive loss will likely drop Lousiville out of the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. By contrast, SMU is now poised to crack the Top 25.
Game Summary
The SMU and Louisville offenses sprinted out of the gate, scoring on the game's first four possessions, with both teams delivering explosive plays.
The Mustangs took an early 14-10 lead, scoring touchdowns on a 5-yard run by Roderick Daniels Jr. and an acrobatic 10-yard reception by Key'Shawn Smith. Although SMU starting quarterback Kevin Jennings began the game hot, completing his first 13 pass attempts, QB2 Preston Stone delivered the TD pass to Smith when Jennings sat out two plays due to a hard hit from a Louisville defender on his hip.
Star Cardinals wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks scored on Loisville's first possession, reeling in a 6-yard TD reception from QB Tyler Shough. On their next possession, they settled for a field goal from placekicker Brock Travelstead after the Mustangs' defense stiffened.
SMU extended the lead to 21-10 with slightly under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter on a third-and-2 play from its 41-yard line when Jennings darted untouched through a cover-zero-formation for a 59-yard TD.
On their ensuing drive, the Cardinals narrowed the lead to 21-13 on another Travelstead FG with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. SMU's elite kicker Collin Rogers answered by bombing a 55-yard FG with 17 seconds remaining in the half, making the score 24-13.
While Jennings had 148 passing yards and 109 rushing yards in the first half, Louisville had minus-21 rushing yards in the half.
Louisville got its rushing game going on the first drive of the second half, featuring running backs Isaac Brown and Donald Chaney, the latter of whom capped off the drive by punching in a 1-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal, making the score 24-20.
The Cardinals held the Ponies to a FG on the following series of plays, resulting in a 27-20 SMU lead midway through the third quarter.
Less than two minutes later, the Cardinals tied the score on a third-and-6 play from their 14-yard line when Shough hit Brooks on an 86-yard strike.
SMU drove back down the field on their next possession, but the drive stalled at the Cardinals' 33-yard line and Rogers missed a 50-yard FG attempt.
With momentum firmly on the side of the Cardinals, the score was tied at 27 when the fourth quarter commenced.
However, on the second play of the final stanza, SMU's defense stepped up and stopped the Cardinals on a fourth-and-1 play, turning the ball back over to Jennings and the Mustangs offense. The Cardinals defense responded, forcing SMU to punt on the next drive after a three-and-out. Then, continuing the trend of strong defense, SMU stopped the Cardinals' next drive near midfield, forcing a punt.
Taking over at their 10-yard line, the Ponies drove deep into the Cardinals' territory, but RB Brashard Smith appeared to fumble with Lousiville recovering on the 5-yard line for the game's first turnover. However, in a ruling questioned by the ESPN broadcasting crew, the video replay crew reversed, ruling that Smith's knee was down before the ball came loose. After a pass-interference call, sturdy 220-pound junior RB LJ Johnson Jr. then pounded his way into the end zone from the 1-yard line, putting SMU ahead 34-27.
Louisville drove down to the SMU 20-yard line, but junior safety Isaiah Nwokobia intercepted a Shough pass in the end zone. After that critical defensive stand, the Mustangs sealed the deal with the ball back in their hands, securing two first downs and running out the clock.
Mustangs Pony Up
SMU outgained Lousiville in total yardage 485-461 and made 26 first downs to only 21 for the Cardinals. Jennings completed 21-of-27 passes for 281 yards and was the Mustangs' leading rusher with 113 yards. Standout tight end RJ Maryland was the leading SMU receiver with 6 receptions for 83 yards.
As noted by ESPN commentator Louis Riddick at the end of the game, the Mustangs made legendary SMU alumnus Eric Dickerson proud today.
Next Up
Following a bye next week, SMU will travel to Palo Alto, Calif. on Oct. 19 to take on a different type of Cardinal—Stanford (2-2, 1-1). On deck for Louisville is a matchup on Oct. 12 with the surprising Virginia Cavaliers (4-1 ,2-0 ) in Charlottesville, Va.
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🐎 🆙 — Pony Up