Kevin Jennings Throws for 3 TDs; SMU Rolls Past BC 45-13 in Eagles’ Red Bandana Game

Football
November 08, 2025

By KEN POWTAK

BOSTON (AP) — SMU didn’t have a letdown after its huge victory over Miami final weekend.

Kevin Jennings threw for 3 touchdowns and 326 yards to hold SMU to a 45-13 victory over Boston College on Saturday, spoiling the Eagles’ annual Red Bandana Game and sending them to their ninth straight loss.

The sport honors the reminiscence of Welles Crowther, a BC graduate and former lacrosse participant, who was working within the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and died rescuing individuals. He was recognized for carrying a crimson bandanna.

Jennings accomplished 16-of-32 passes with TD throws of 25, 61 and 37 yards for the Mustangs (7-3, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Derrick McFall ran for 3 TDs.

“College football has turned into a game of explosive plays,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee mentioned. “But, if you’re explosive and you can run the ball, then you control the game a little better.”

Dylan Lonergan was 25-of-37 for 232 yards with a TD and interception for BC (1-9, 0-6) after beginning QB Grayson James was benched following fumbling twice within the opening quarter. SMU got here into the day main the FBS with 22 turnovers gained.

Leading 17-6, the Mustangs took management when Jennings hit Yamir Knight with the 61-yarder. Knight was large open deep over-the-middle, reduce to his left after the catch and slipped contained in the pylon for the rating on SMU’s first drive of the second half.

Jennings then hit Matthew Hibner with the 37-yard TD toss.

Coming off an upset victory over then-No. 10 Miami, the Mustangs constructed a 17-0 lead earlier than the Eagles kicked a pair of late second-quarter discipline objectives.

“Our goal this game was not to let that happen,” Jennings mentioned a few loss at Wake Forest after an emotional win at Clemson. “Play a complete game for all four quarters and everybody stepped up to that challenge.”

Red Bandana History

The Eagles wore crimson bandana-trimmed uniforms within the particular sport that began with an upset of then-No. 9 USC on September 13, 2014. On the again of jerseys as a substitute of names it learn: “For Welles.” … BC dropped to 5-7 within the sport.

Interesting Choices

In the primary half, BC coach Bill O’Brien elected to skip making an attempt for a brief discipline when it had a fourth-and-3 contained in the 5 trailing 10-0. Still down 10, he skipped a bid for a 43-yard strive on a fourth-and-2.

“Going for it on fourth down was really a necessity, I think, relative to who were were playing,” O’Brien mentioned.

The Takeaway

SMU: Despite two non-conference losses, the Mustangs can have an effect on the ACC’s bid for the College Football playoff image with an enormous matchup in opposition to Louisville in two weeks.

Boston College: The Eagles have two probabilities to finish what’s been the worst season since 0-11 in 1978 with a house sport in opposition to Georgia Tech subsequent week earlier than touring to Syracuse on Thanksgiving weekend.

Up Next

SMU: Hosts No. 14 Louisville on November 22.

Boston College: Hosts Sixteenth-ranked Georgia Tech subsequent Saturday.