LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kevin Jennings passed and rushed for career highs, Isaiah Nwokobia intercepted an end-zone pass with 2:23 left to seal it, and SMU overcame blowing a double-digit lead to beat No. 22 Louisville 34-27 on Saturday.
The Mustangs (5-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) never trailed and rang up another significant win as an ACC newcomer, but only after its 24-13 halftime lead dissolved into a 27-all tie entering the fourth quarter. “We showed today this is what we can do in the ACC,” said Jennings, who passed for 281 yards and rushed for 113. “Hopefully, we can continue and get a championship.
” The Cardinals (3-2, 1-1) clawed back behind Ja'Corey Brooks' 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown and a 1-yard TD run by Donald Chaney in the third. After missing a third-quarter field goal and punting on its first fourth-quarter drive, SMU took over at its 11 and drove for the winning score with the help of several Louisville penalties and a video review that overturned Brashard Smith's fumble that Louisville had recovered at the 5. That gave the Mustangs possession at the 13, and Louisville penalties for pass interference and offsides put the ball at the 1.
LJ Johnson took it in for the TD with 6:39 remaining. The Cardinals got into SMU territory, but Tyler Shough was sacked for a 9-yard loss before throwing a fourth-down pass into traffic that Nwokobia caught to seal the Mustangs' third consecutive victory. The win vaulted SMU into contention for the ACC lead wi.