Eric Boggs 
SMU went on the road and upset ranked Louisville for another ACC victory.
SMU pulled off a thrilling 34-27 upset over No. 22 Louisville on Saturday in ACC play, extending their win streak to three games since switching to quarterback Kevin Jennings. Louisville, still reeling from their loss to Notre Dame the previous week, struggled to keep up with the Mustangs’ high-tempo offense and aggressive play at L&N Stadium.
The Cardinals (3-2, 1-1 ACC) suffered their first conference loss of the season while SMU (5-1, 2-0 ACC) continued their impressive run in ACC play. Jennings led the charge, completing 21-of-27 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown, adding another 113 yards and a score on the ground. Former starter Preston Stone also contributed with a touchdown pass after briefly stepping in for an injured Jennings.
Louisville’s defense was overwhelmed, surrendering 481 total yards and allowing 26 first downs. The Mustangs’ fast-paced attack caught the Cardinals off guard repeatedly, particularly in the first half, where SMU built a 24-13 halftime lead.
Both teams came out firing from the start, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions. SMU opened with a five-yard rushing score from Roderick Daniels Jr., which Louisville quickly matched with a six-yard pass from Tyler Shough to Ja’Corey Brooks. After Jennings briefly exited the game, Stone stepped in and connected with Key’Shawn Smith for a 10-yard touchdown to cap SMU’s second drive.
A key moment came late in the first quarter when Louisville had to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown, and SMU capitalized with a 59-yard touchdown run from Jennings in the second quarter. The Mustangs added a 55-yard field goal before halftime, extending their lead to 24-13.
Louisville showed signs of life in the second half. After a one-yard rushing touchdown from Donald Chaney and an 86-yard bomb from Shough to Brooks tied the game at 27-27, it seemed the momentum was shifting. However, the Cardinals missed an opportunity to take the lead early in the fourth quarter when a fourth-down attempt inside the red zone came up short.
SMU took advantage of Louisville’s missed opportunity. A controversial overturned fumble by SMU running back Brashard Smith, followed by penalties against the Cardinals, set up a one-yard touchdown by LJ Johnson Jr. to give the Mustangs a late lead. Louisville had a chance to respond, driving deep into SMU territory, but Shough’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Isaiah Nwokobia with 2:34 remaining, sealing the upset for the Mustangs.
Next up, Louisville will look to bounce back on the road against Virginia on Oct. 12, while SMU enjoy a bye week this week before hitting the road again, this time traveling to Stanford.
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