No. 22 Mustangs Overcome 6 Turnovers, Narrowly Edge Duke

© Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

In an Atlantic Coast Conference showdown, the No. 22 SMU Mustangs (7-1, 4-0) defeated the Duke Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) in overtime. The final score was 28-27, and the result is remarkable, because SMU had 6 turnovers while Duke had none.

The Mustangs dominated Duke in all aspects of the game, except the turnover battle.

Game Summary

SMU more than doubled the Blue Devils' output on the ground, rushing for 211 yards. Duke only mustered 98 yards in the running game.

The Mustangs took a 14-7 lead into halftime and looked poised to put the game away in the third quarter after extending the lead to 21-7.

SMU turnovers kept Duke in the game, however. At one point, the Mustangs turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions.

While SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has played excellent football this season, he was careless with the ball against Duke, fumbling 4 times and throwing 2 interceptions.

The SMU defense saved the day for the Mustangs. Standout junior safety Isaiah Nwokobia was a dominant force for the SMU defense, racking up 13 tackles. Fellow safety Ahmaad Moses collaborated with Nwokobia to keep the Duke offense in check, repeatedly disrupting the Blue Devils' passing attack.

Running back Brashard Smith led the way for the Ponies, gaining 117 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns on 26 carries.

The Blue Devils' downfall was the kicking game. Placekicker Todd Pelino missed an extra point and 2 field goal attempts, one of which was blocked as time expired in regulation.

In overtime, the Mustangs took possession first, scored a touchdown and successfully kicked a point-after conversion. Duke then scored a TD, but shied away from bringing in Pelinio to attempt to draw even and instead went for a two-point conversion. However, the SMU defense again rose to the occasion in the game's climactic moment, stopping the Blue Devils.

Mustangs Storyline

SMU won ugly. Not many teams can lose the turnover battle by 6 and still pull out a victory. Somehow the Mustangs managed to do so.

On Deck

The Mustangs and Duke are both scheduled to play undefeated ACC foes next week. SMU hosts the No. 19 Pitt Panthers (7-0, 3-0) on Nov. 2 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. The Blue Devils face a daunting challenge, as they head to Coral Gables, Fla. to take on the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0).