Kevin Jennings, SMU Criticized by CFB Fans for 3 1st-Half INTs vs. Penn State in CFP
The College Football Playoff spotlight is proving to be extremely bright for SMU and quarterback Kevin Jennings.
Jennings finished the first half 9-of-19 for 77 yards and three interceptions against Penn State, with two of them being returned for touchdowns to help the Nittany Lions take a commanding 28-0 lead into the intermission.
The first interception came when Jennings seemed to expect Brashard Smith to run a different route than he took, giving Dominic DeLuca an easy pick-six.
Jennings' second pick-six seemed like he just didn't recognize Tony Rojas was wearing a Penn State jersey.
DeLuca got his second interception of the game deep in Penn State territory on a batted pass that Jennings reacted to in anger after the Nittany Lions linebacker was tackled.
Fan response to Jennings' woeful half was about what you would expect with a lot of jokes and memes, but also some sympathy for just how bad things got.
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee is in a unique spot if he wanted to make a change at quarterback because of how poorly Jennings was playing.
Preston Stone, who was the Mustangs' starter in 2023 and the first game in 2024, announced on Dec. 10 that he was entering the transfer portal but would finish out this season with the team.
The Athletic's Chris Vannini did note Stone is in uniform and eligible to play against Penn State.
It's impossible to say things would be better with Stone under center, but there are some indications that Jennings is feeling the pressure of the moment.
SMU's first drive ended with a turnover on downs when Jennings had an angle to run for a first down on fourth-and-1 from Penn State's 19-yard line, but at the last moment he decided to float a pass to Matthew Hibner.
It wasn't a bad decision because Hibner broke free from coverage and was open for what should have been a touchdown, but the pass from Jennings forced Hibner to turn his body back inside. Hibner bobbled the ball before being hit by Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley for an incomplete pass.
This is the second straight game that Jennings has had early turnover issues. He gave the ball away twice in the first half of the ACC Championship Game against Clemson, leading to SMU falling behind by 17 points.
The Mustangs were able to mount a second-half comeback to tie the game in the fourth quarter before Clemson got a field as time expired for a 34-31 win.
Jennings and SMU will need an even more heroic effort in the second half on Saturday against Penn State to keep its season alive.
