No. 19 SMU just dropped 42 unanswered points in a single half against Cal, turning a 20-17 deficit into a ridiculous 59-20 blowout. That kind of second-half explosion is exactly what the 6-1 Mustangs are bringing into Saturday’s ACC matchup against the Syracuse Orange. They are riding a four-game winning streak and looking like a real threat in the conference.
SMU’s Offensive Machine Is Heating Up
The Mustangs are on fire right now, and their last game against Cal was a perfect example of their firepower. Quarterback Kevin Jennings was surgical, completing 16 of 23 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns. But it wasn’t just the air attack; Kendrick Raphael absolutely ran wild, racking up 104 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, plus he even snagged a 22-yard touchdown pass. Freshman Christian Rhodes chipped in with 41 rushing yards and two more scores, showing off the depth in that backfield. They finished with 492 yards of total offense, and get this: they have scored at least 23 points in *every single game* this season. Their 4-1 record in ACC play is no fluke.
Syracuse Fights Back with OT Heroics
On the other side, Syracuse isn’t just going to roll over. They’re coming off a huge, momentum-building 31-30 overtime win against North Carolina, snapping a two-game losing streak and grabbing their first ACC win of the season. Talk about clutch! Steve Angeli tossed for 256 yards and two touchdowns, including a crucial four-yard pass to Calvin Russell III in overtime. And for the win? Those two connected again on the two-point conversion! Running back Ahmad Miller was a workhorse with 125 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries, while Umari Hatcher torched the defense with four catches for 103 yards, highlighted by a massive 76-yard touchdown. They were down by 10 points in the third quarter, proving they’ve got some fight in them. Syracuse ended that game with 455 yards of total offense, so their offense can move the ball too.
This Saturday’s showdown at JMA Wireless Dome is shaping up to be a wild one. Can No. 19 SMU’s second-half magic carry them to another win, or will Syracuse keep the good vibes rolling after their dramatic overtime victory? Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM ET, and you can catch all the action live on ESPN2. You won’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply