SMU fans stand in the rain for the national anthem before an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
UNIVERSITY PARK — SMU survived another underwhelming performance at Ford Stadium.
No. 21 SMU (4-1, 2-1 ACC) took down Boston College (2-3, 0-2) 25-16 on Saturday afternoon, as its defense limited Boston College to just six points in the last three quarters and allowed the offense to score 19 straight.
SMU’s offense, which has been one of the best in the nation to start the season, fell flat, totaling just 218 yards against a team expected to finish toward the bottom of the ACC.
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Here are five thoughts from the Mustangs’ win.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings runs onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee talks to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
An SMU Peruna handler falls to the ground as they lead the team onto the field before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
An SMU Peruna handler falls to the ground as they lead the team onto the field before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU cheerleaders perform in the rain before an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU running back Kendrick Raphael (6) celebrates his rushing touchdown with quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU safety Jarvis Lee (1) tackles Boston College wide receiver Jaedn Skeete (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU safety Jarvis Lee (1) dances after a tackle for loss during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Boston College running back Evan Dickens (23) makes a leaping catch between SMU safety Jimmy Wyrick (21) and cornerback William Nettles (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU running back Kendrick Raphael (6) runs through the arms of Boston College defensive back TJ Green (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) signals for a first down after a run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) runs for a touchdown against Boston College during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) celebrates his rushing touchdown alongside wide receiver Jalen Hale (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU cornerback Jayvon Thomas (4) reacts after being called for pass interference during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee greets Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien after winning an NCAA college football game, on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) poses after winning an NCAA college football game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in University Park.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Boston College limits high-powered SMU offense
The third-best offense in the nation in terms of yards per game was severely limited Saturday.
SMU, which entered the game averaging 544 yards per game, finished with just 218 in the contest and just 81 in the second half. The Mustangs were outgained by over 100 yards.
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SMU’s passing offense, which led the country with 386 yards per game, finished far shy of that average. Quarterback Kevin Jennings threw for 160 yards on 20 of 30 passing with two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.
It was raining for most of the game, which could’ve played a role in SMU’s ability to throw the ball. But SMU didn’t run the ball well either, averaging just 1.8 yards per carry.
Twice, SMU started its drives in Boston College territory and ended up punting from well in its own territory after losing yardage.
SMU was able to limit the turnovers, which have been an issue all season. Saturday was their first game against an FBS opponent where the Mustangs didn’t turn the ball over.
SMU did have to play much of the second half without All-ACC preseason center honoree Joshua Bates, who went down with a lower-body injury.
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Marques White leads SMU defense that brings pressure
The Mustang defense was able to bring more pressure than it has to start the season, even with defensive end Ira Singleton IV out for the season with an injury.
SMU sacked Boston College quarterback Mason McKenzie five times, including three times by Marques White, who is currently in his eighth season of college football. On his third sack, he forced a fumble, which Aakil Washington returned to the Boston College 13-yard line, setting up an SMU touchdown.
The Mustangs also added five quarterback hurries, 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles, though Boston College recovered two of them.
In the second half, SMU forced two turnovers on downs and a fumble to limit Boston College to a lone touchdown.
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SMU struggles to stop QB run
Where the defense struggled was limiting McKenzie’s runs.
The quarterback averaged 3.5 yards per carry, totaling 74 yards on 21 attempts. He had one 40-yard run.
He gained 113 total yards, not counting sacks.
Outside of McKenzie, SMU was able to limit Boston College’s running backs, who combined for just 30 yards on six carries.
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Special teams still a problem
After devoting their practices to fixing their special teams issues, the Mustangs remain plagued by the same problems.
Following an opening-drive touchdown run by Kendrick Raphael, a bad snap didn’t allow Brendan Baird to get the extra point off.
Then, later in the first half, the Mustangs opted not to kick a 41-yard field goal and instead went for it on fourth-and-8. They were fortunate that a pass interference call on Boston College extended their drive that ended in a touchdown. But it showed SMU coach Rhett Lashlee doesn’t have much faith in his kicking game.
The Mustangs had another bad hold on a snap in the third quarter where Baird again wasn’t able to get the kick off. On SMU’s final touchdown, Lashlee didn’t risk it again and chose to attempt a two-point conversion, which SMU didn’t convert.
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SMU was also without starting kicker Nick Reed due to injury.
SMU again underperforms against a weak opponent
For the second straight week, SMU wasn’t able to pull off a convincing win against a weak opponent.
After beating Missouri State by just 10 points, despite being favored by 30, the Mustangs again didn’t cover a 21-point spread against Boston College.
The Mustangs will take a 4-1 record heading into a bye, but their play hasn’t been all that impressive. It’s a concern as they are set to face better opponents ahead in Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Notre Dame.
SMU will need to clean up its play during the week off.