{"id":224933,"date":"2025-09-14T01:06:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T01:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/224933\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T01:06:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T01:06:11","slug":"wake-up-call-smu-at-familiar-crossroads-after-scare-vs-missouri-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/224933\/","title":{"rendered":"Wake-up call? SMU at familiar crossroads after scare vs. Missouri State"},"content":{"rendered":"

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. \u2014 Ask any player or coach at SMU<\/a> when their season took a turn for the better last year, and they\u2019ll point to the third game of the year.<\/p>\n

SMU lost to BYU at home<\/a>, but in that game \u2014 and the bye week that followed \u2014 the Mustangs sorted out their quarterback situation and settled on Kevin Jennings<\/a> as the starter. That\u2019s when their defense started to make some plays and shape into one of the best in the ACC. <\/p>\n

Three games into the 2024 season with a 2-1 record, SMU had overcome adversity and laid the foundation for what would become a historic season and a run to both the ACC title game and College Football Playoff.<\/p>\n

But three games into 2025, it\u2019s unclear whether the Mustangs have done the same \u2014 or are more lost than when the season began.<\/p>\n

Sports Roundup<\/p>\n

Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, Kevin Sherrington’s A La Carte.<\/p>\n

By signing up, you agree to our\u00a0Terms of Service<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n

SMU (2-1) beat Missouri State (1-2) on the road 28-10<\/a> Saturday afternoon, but for most of the first half, the Mustangs were on upset watch. <\/p>\n

SMU trailed 10-0 late in the first half to a team that has only been an FBS program for three weeks. It started the game with two turnovers and a missed field goal on its first three drives. It took a narrow lead at halftime thanks to two rushing touchdowns on the team\u2019s final two drives of the half. The SMU defense allowed the offense to eventually pull away, but it was a sloppy win all-around. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe were running basic plays and not blocking the defensive tackle or not blocking the defensive end. Just a lot of really uncharacteristic, poor execution,\u201d SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee<\/a> said. \u201cFirst two drives, it was turnovers. After that, it was penalties. We just kind of kept getting in our own way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many questioned why the Mustangs even traveled to Springfield in the first place for a game where they had more to lose than to gain. SMU officials said a combination of Vanderbilt canceling its nonconference series and North Texas moving to the American Conference to make their series a conference game in 2023 and cancel future nonconference games led to this unexpected series with Missouri State. The Mustangs had to travel to Springfield this year and will host Missouri State next year.<\/p>\n

Related<\/p>\n

\"SMU<\/p>\n

Heading into the week, it was seen as a possible confidence-building game after the loss to Baylor last week<\/a>. But after the rocky start, SMU has yet to play a complete game. With a rivalry game against TCU looming and ACC play beginning after that, SMU\u2019s play thus far doesn\u2019t breed much confidence when it comes to matchups against more challenging opponents.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as us winning today, we\u2019re happy with that,\u201d SMU running back TJ Harden said. \u201cBut there\u2019s a lot of stuff for us to fix. From here on out, the next nine games are going to be tough opponents.\u201d<\/p>\n

SMU has demonstrated issues in all three phases of the game, and there hasn\u2019t been a game yet where all three have been at their best simultaneously. <\/p>\n

Its offense, which looked like a juggernaut in the 48-45 loss to Baylor last week, was kept off the board for more than 26 minutes Saturday. Jennings, Romello Brinson and other key contributors continue to make critical mistakes. While Harden had another multi-score game and RJ Maryland finally got on the board, SMU needs more consistency from that group.<\/p>\n

On defense, SMU looks to be going through a rebuild, as expected. The Mustangs returned just one player from last year\u2019s defense who started all 14 games: Isaiah Nwokobia<\/a>. Its defense looked better against Missouri State than it did against Baylor, making three timely interceptions and shutting down the Bears after the rough start. But it\u2019s still far from the group led by Elijah Roberts and Kobe Wilson that was an ACC-best last year. The Mustangs have also been playing without their two starting linebackers Alexander Kilgore and Zakye Barker. Fellow linebacker Kyle Ferm was injured during Saturday\u2019s game as well. <\/p>\n

Finally, on special teams, SMU has missed its last four field goal attempts, and two different kickers have tried. The Mustangs lost trust in their preseason All-ACC, three-year starter Collin Rogers <\/a>and have turned to redshirt freshman Sam Keltner, who never attempted a collegiate field goal or extra point before Saturday.<\/p>\n

And overall, SMU has looked undisciplined. It committed 12 penalties for 130 yards Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a complete flag fest,\u201d Lashlee said. \u201cI don\u2019t expect that. It\u2019s not acceptable. There\u2019s no excuse for it. Every now and then you\u2019re going to get a hustle penalty. But to not snap the ball or not line up on the ball on a formation and get a long run called back, that\u2019s inexcusable.\u201d<\/p>\n

To be fair, SMU didn\u2019t look like a team destined for the College Football Playoff three games in last season. But that third game was a turning point.<\/p>\n

Set to face TCU on the road next week and a slate of ACC opponents after that, the next stretch ahead will tell whether Saturday\u2019s concerning first half was the wake-up call the Mustangs needed \u2014 if somehow the Baylor loss wasn\u2019t \u2014 or a sign they are not the team they were a year ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to be a lot better next week, but we got a win, and we\u2019re excited to go home with a win, \u201d Lashlee said.<\/p>\n