SMU is making a quarterback change simply three video games into the season as Kevin Jennings will take over the beginning job from incumbent Preston Stone. The Mustangs performed each quarterbacks for stretches throughout their inconsistent 2-1 begin and have now determined to shift their plans in favor of Jennings main the offense.
Whereas Stone was the beginning quarterback heading into the season, coach Rhett Lashlee was open that the workers wished to contain Jennings. The latter began the Mustangs’ AAC Championship Sport victory towards Tulane in 2023 after Stone suffered a season-ending leg damage, main a 26-14 upset victory. It was the primary convention championship for SMU since earlier than the Demise Penalty of the Nineteen Eighties.
Coming into 2024, Lashlee held up Jennings as a pacesetter on the workforce. Regardless of serving as a backup, Jennings was named a captain and represented the workforce at ACC Media Days. Nonetheless, benching Stone is a shocking transfer.
In three seasons for the Mustangs, Jennings has accomplished 60.1% of his passes for 1,165 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He has additionally averaged 4.3 yards per carry with two touchdowns. The sophomore is a neighborhood legend in Dallas after main South Oak Cliff Excessive College to a state championship in 2021, which made them the primary Dallas ISD faculty to win a state title for the reason that Dallas Carter squad — featured within the film “Friday Evening Lights” — in 1988.
SMU enters its first off week after taking part in in Week 0. Jennings will make his first begin of the season on Sept. 21 towards rival TCU within the Battle for the Iron Skillet. The Mustangs observe up the important rivalry recreation with Florida State and a street journey to No. 19 Louisville. SMU has not gained a recreation towards an influence convention opponent since Lashlee arrived in 2022.
Stone’s benching comes as shock
Touchdown Stone as a recruit was a game-changing second for SMU. The Dallas product and SMU legacy ranks as the highest recruit in program historical past, ranked No. 148 within the Top247 rankings. In his lone season as a starter, Stone lived as much as the hype.
Stone began 12 video games for SMU, finishing 59.9% of his passes for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns throughout a breakout marketing campaign. Whereas he needed to return from a significant leg damage, most anticipated Stone to rank among the many prime returning passers within the ACC as SMU entered its first season as a league member. Attending to be the face of his household’s program throughout a historic second was one thing cash could not purchase.
The SMU offense was inconsistent below Stone in 2024, but it surely’s not all his fault. The SMU workers opted to rotate quarterbacks over the primary three video games, giving Stone and Jennings every two drives earlier than making a choice. Within the opener towards Nevada, it was Stone who put collectively a robust second half and led a game-winning landing drive. In opposition to BYU, SMU leaned on Jennings. Stone threw solely 4 go makes an attempt earlier than getting benched.
What Jennings brings
The SMU workers beforehand mentioned that it might rotate in Jennings to offer a activate the bench, however the Mustangs caught with him after happening in an 18-15 loss to BYU. He accomplished solely 15 of 32 passes however led extra constant drives. None reached the tip zone.
Whereas Stone is the main focus amid his benching, the transfer may very well say extra about SMU’s offensive line woes. Stone was sacked 3 times early towards BYU. For comparability, the Cougars had simply two sacks towards Southern Illinois. The Mustangs have additionally been inconsistent within the run recreation. That is the place Jennings provides worth.
Jennings gives way more worth for SMU together with his athleticism and working potential. He was not sacked towards BYU regardless of dealing with stress. In his three video games, Jennings has rushed for 96 yards and a landing on 6.4 yards per try. Stone averaged simply 2.6 yards per carry. Jennings is not fairly the passer of Stone’s caliber, however the Mustangs are determined to get any constant playmaking on the sphere as they head into their first season as an influence convention workforce.