UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas — SMU had the bounce-back game it needed under the Friday Night Lights. SMU cruised to a 51-28 win over Virginia Tech on Friday night at Ford Stadium, responding after its upset loss on the road at Syracuse last week. SMU’s offense had one of its best showings of the season, scoring on its first eight drives en route to a decisive victory. Meanwhile, SMU’s defense and ...

On Oct. 31, 2026, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee looks on during the second quarter against Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York.

Rebecca Villagracia/Getty Images North America/TNS

UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas — SMU had the bounce-back game it needed under the Friday Night Lights.

SMU cruised to a 51-28 win over Virginia Tech on Friday night at Ford Stadium, responding after its upset loss on the road at Syracuse last week.

SMU’s offense had one of its best showings of the season, scoring on its first eight drives en route to a decisive victory. Meanwhile, SMU’s defense and special teams made key plays to prevent Virginia Tech from closing the gap.

Here are five thoughts from the Mustangs’ win.

Kevin Jennings leads SMU offense in showing its full potential

SMU’s offense has the talent to be one of the nation’s best, but the Mustangs (7-2, 5-2 ACC) haven’t been able to reach their potential each week.

On Friday, however, the Mustangs looked their best, and quarterback Kevin Jennings led the way in another standout performance.

The quarterback completed 24 of 32 passes for 350 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in the win. Meanwhile, SMU’s running backs managed to rush for 219 yards and two scores in a well-rounded offensive performance.

SMU was able to move the ball downfield perhaps better than it had in any other first half this season. On their opening drive, the Mustangs scored on a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Dramekco Green, who was playing in his first game back after missing a month with a broken hand.

SMU scored on all five of its drives in the first half — two touchdowns and three field goals. That allowed SMU to carry a 23-14 lead into halftime.

The momentum didn’t stop after halftime either. SMU scored touchdowns on its first three drives of the second half — on a run by Kendrick Raphael and two passes to Yamir Knight, who finished with a career-high three touchdowns.

The second half included a 59-yard run by true freshman running back Christian Rhodes, who led the way with 92 yards rushing. Green and Kendrick Raphael had the two scores.

The Mustangs totaled 569 yards of offense in the blowout win.

Marques White continues to lead defense with impact plays

Eighth-year player Marques White has been one of the surprises of SMU’s defense this season. The UMass transfer, playing his first season of power-conference football, leads the Mustangs with 7.5 sacks after adding another two in Friday’s win.

White had possibly SMU’s best defensive play of the season in the first half. While he was being held, he still managed to reach Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, force a fumble and recover it. The Mustangs turned that fumble into seven points a play later.

SMU has been one of the worst teams in the nation in takeaways this season with just six in eight games — tied for 123rd in the nation. White’s play came when SMU needed it.

The Mustang defense gave up 417 yards. It allowed Grunkemeyer to throw for 291 yards and a touchdown, while running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. managed to rush for 123 yards and two scores.

But SMU locked down after halftime, as it's done in many games this season. The Mustangs allowed just 14 points after halftime. Linebacker Brandon Miyazono also had a tackle for loss as Virginia Tech (6-3, 3-3) attempted to go for it on fourth down deep in SMU territory, forcing a turnover on downs. Jimmy Wyrick added an interception late in the fourth quarter.

First multi-score game for Yamir Knight at SMU

Wide receiver Yamir Knight found the end zone three times for SMU in Friday’s win.

His first score was off a 46-yard pass from Jennings on a one-play drive after the SMU takeaway. His second was in the third quarter to put SMU up 37-14. He scored a third on SMU’s next drive in the fourth quarter.

Knight finished with 103 yards on six catches as he further extends his lead as SMU’s top receiver this season.

But he wasn’t the only standout from the SMU receiving corps.

Yannick Smith followed up a 95-yard performance last week with six catches for 84 yards. He also took a massive hit by Virginia Tech defensive back Tyson Flowers, which was ruled targeting, but Smith appeared to be OK after the dangerous hit.

Jalen Cooper had 98 yards on five catches, including a 50-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Brendan Baird sets new career-long twice

Brendan Baird has firmly established himself as SMU’s starting kicker.

Baird was 3 for 3 in Friday’s win and has now made his last eight field-goal attempts.

He hit three field goals in the first half, including two new career highs — a 47-yarder in the first quarter and a 50-yarder just before halftime.

The former soccer player who earned a scholarship just weeks ago has helped solve SMU’s kicking issues and has proved to be the most reliable part of its special teams play.

Mustangs avenge 2024 College Football Playoff loss to James Franklin

SMU was in a familiar position facing a James Franklin-coached team in an elimination game.

But SMU came out on top this time.

After falling to Franklin’s 2024 Penn State team 38-10 in the first round of the College Football Playoff, SMU managed to defeat the first-year Hokies head coach.

Franklin’s Virginia Tech team entered the matchup 6-2 and still in contention for a spot in the ACC title game. They had been one of the best defensive teams in the nation in multiple categories, recording 77 tackles for loss (best) and 27 sacks (sixth-best) on the year.

But they were no match for SMU’s offense, which effectively ended Franklin’s chances of winning an ACC title in his first year with the Hokies.

The Mustangs’ postseason hopes are still alive, as they are set to face a top-25 opponent in each of the next two weeks — No. 16 Wake Forest and No. 11 Notre Dame.