No. 13 SMU Clinches ACC Championship Spot with 33-7 Win Over Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Kevin Jennings threw for a career-high 323 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another, leading No. 13 SMU to a 33-7 victory over Virginia on Saturday. The win secured SMU a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.
Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte each recorded two sacks, contributing to SMU's defense overwhelming Virginia and sacking Anthony Colandrea nine times. The Mustangs extended their winning streak to eight games and improved to 10-1 7-0 in the ACC.
Jennings, who completed 25 of 33 passes, connected with Jordan Hudson and Matthew Hibner for touchdowns. Brashard Smith also contributed with 63 rushing yards and his 13th touchdown of the season.
SMUs special teams added to the success, with Roderick Daniels Jr. returning a punt 48 yards and Collin Rogers making two field goals. Coach Rhett Lashlee, who recently extended his contract, praised the team's performance and resilience.
SMU will face either No. 11 Miami or No. 17 Clemson in the ACC title game on Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina. A win in the championship game would secure an automatic bid into the expanded College Football Playoff.
Virginia's defeat continued their struggles, falling to 5-6 3-4 in the ACC, and made Notre Dame's opponents 2-7 in their next game after facing the Fighting Irish this season, with SMU responsible for three of those losses.
