www.thestar.com - RSS Results of type article
· collected 2026-08-19 · by Stephen Hawkins The Associated Press
SMU, ranked No. 19, is looking to make another strong run in the Atlantic Coast Conference with quarterback Kevin Jennings, who is entering his final season and has a Heisman Trophy campaign underway. Jennings has led SMU to 20 wins over the past two seasons, including a College Football Playoff appearance, but the team faces stiff competition early on with games against Florida State and Louisville. The Mustangs' defense was weak last season, ranking 133rd in pass defense, allowing an average of 283 yards passing per game. Jennings has new skill players around him this season, including transfer running back Kendrick Raphael and wide receiver Yannick Smith.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
No. 19 SMU, ranked 9-4 in the 2025 season, is expected to be a contender in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Led by hometown quarterback Kevin Jennings, who is entering his final season, the Mustangs have made a strong impression in their league debut two seasons ago and last year came close to winning another conference championship game. Jennings has already proven himself over the past two years, with 20 wins in that span, but will face tough early road tests this season, starting with a prime-time game at Florida State on Labor Day and followed by a trip to Louisville two weeks later. Coach Rhett Lashlee believes Jennings has a good team around him and expects him to play well.
Written for “SMU Football Season Opener” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.25 for article 1363 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-21
SMU and its hometown quarterback Kevin Jennings immediately made their presence known in the AAC, going to the College Football Playoff in their league debut two seasons ago and coming up just short of another conference championship game last year.
asserted
presence → make → game
They have 20 wins in that span; the only ACC team with more is Miami, last season’s national runner-up that lost at SMU in the regular season.
asserted
that → have → season
“Fortunately, we were able to make a good first impression,” coach Rhett Lashlee said.
asserted
Lashlee → make → impression
“Last year was important that we backed it up.”
asserted
we → back → it
And the early part of the schedule could very well determine the fate of their championship expectations and the QB’s Heisman Trophy campaign.
uncertain
part → determine → expectations
They open in prime time at Florida State on Labor Day, and go to Louisville two weeks later.
asserted
They → open → Louisville
“We’ve got to win games, we’ve got to play well.
asserted
we → get → games
I think we’ve got a good team around him,” Lashlee said.
asserted
Lashlee → think → him
“He’s going to play well.
asserted
He → go → ?
He’s proven that for two years.”
asserted
He → prove → years
Strengths including QB, who has new skill players around him
Jennings is 19-7 as SMU’s starter, including a win in his first start in the 2023 American Athletic Conference championship game.
asserted
Jennings → include → game
He completed 300 of 454 passes (66.1%) for 3,641 yards and 26 TDs last season with 13 interceptions.
asserted
He → complete → interceptions
He could run more too after limited last season by a lingering ankle issue.
uncertain
He → run → issue
The top two rushers and four of the top five receivers from last season are gone, but senior WR Yamir Knight (54 catches, 637 yards and five TDs) returns with some quality additions.
asserted
Knight → go → additions
Transfer RB Kendrick Raphael ran for 943 yards and 13 TDs last season for Cal, with 111 yards and a 2-yard TD in the final minute of the Bears’ 38-35 win over SMU in the regular-season finale that kept the Mustangs out of the ACC title game.
asserted
that → run → game
Receivers Yannick Smith (ECU) and Jalen Hale (Alabama) were added from the portal, and 26-year-old freshman Jordyn Adams was a five-star receiving recruit before being a first-round MLB draft pick in 2018.
asserted
Adams → add → 2018
He is adjusting to football again after eight seasons of professional baseball, including 38 big league games.
asserted
He → adjust → games
Weaknesses include pass defense
SMU ranked 133rd out of 134 FBS teams last season giving up 283 yards passing per game, and allowed 26 TDs through the air in 13 games.
asserted
SMU → include → games
The Mustangs would get a huge boost if All-ACC safety Ahmaad Moses is able to come back for a fifth season after surgery.
asserted
Moses → get → surgery
