Why Kevin Jennings remains the key to SMU’s future even after his ugly performance vs. Penn State

Earlier this season, legendary coach Nick Saban called SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings the most underrated player in college football. For anyone who turned on the College Football Playoff, that statement might have looked a little ridiculous. 

Jennings played one of the worst games of his life, a true nightmare performance in SMU’s 38-10 first-round loss to Penn State on Saturday. The sophomore threw a pick-six on the second SMU drive of the game, a 23-yarder returned by Dominic DeLuca. After another three-and-out, Jennings threw another pick-six, this one a 59-yarder to Tony Rojas that SMU players barely seemed to fight to defend. Worse, the picks were simply horrendous decisions and throws, nothing special from the defense. 

There was also the fourth-and-one conversion on the first drive of the game. Jennings could have easily run for the first down, but saw tight end Matthew Hibner coming open in the end zone. Hibner bobbled the ball and SMU ultimately did not score any points in the first half. 

When the dust settled, Jennings threw three interceptions, all of which turned into first-half touchdowns for the Nittany Lions. He completed 20-of-36 passes for 195 yards and was sacked multiple times late as the SMU offensive line wore down. The final score and stats show a blowout, but Jennings’ miscues essentially gifted Penn State 21 of their 28 points. 

As Jennings left the field, Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee pulled him to the side for a long conversation. 

“I believe in you,” Lashlee said according to The Athletic. “Everyone believes in you.” 

Jennings has ascended from low-level recruit to ACC star

For Jennings, the stage was bigger than anything he had ever experienced, maybe bigger than anything he imagined. As a high school…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/why-kevin-jennings-remains-the-key-to-smus-future-even-after-his-ugly-performance-vs-penn-state/

Author : Shehan Jeyarajah

Publish date : 2024-12-21 22:03:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.