A two-hour power outage couldn't stop SMU. Kevin Jennings bounced back from two interceptions to guide a last-minute drive, and Nick Reed's field goal sealed a 27-24 win over Florida State.
With 21 seconds left and the score tied, Kevin Jennings made the play that decided the game. After throwing two interceptions and waiting out a long power outage, the SMU quarterback led a late drive that set up Nick Reed's 20-yard field goal, giving the Mustangs a 27-24 win over Florida State in Tallahassee.
The season opener was anything but normal. A blackout lasting nearly two hours at Doak Campbell Stadium left both teams waiting, momentum stalled, and routines upended. When play finally resumed, SMU's offense quickly found its rhythm again, piling up 585 yards and outlasting the Seminoles in a game that never settled down. According to SMU Athletics, the Mustangs start their ACC schedule 1–0 after a wild night, while Florida State dropped a rare home opener after the technical delay.
The game resumed at 21:15 ET under unusual conditions—scoreboards were only partially functional, and coaches had limited communication with players due to the outage.
Jennings, a senior from Oak Cliff, Texas, finished with 430 passing yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to nine different receivers. His 50-yard pass to Jalen Cooper and a 10-yard touchdown to Randy Pittman, who previously played for Florida State, showed SMU's ability to attack downfield. Yannick Smith also stood out, catching five passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. SMU Athletics confirmed Jennings completed 26 of 36 passes and led the final drive for the winning kick.
SMU's offense was explosive but far from perfect. Jennings' two interceptions nearly cost them, and mistakes kept Florida State close. Still, the Mustangs converted eight of fourteen third downs and put together two key scoring drives in the fourth quarter. USA Today and CBS Sports both reported that SMU outgained Florida State 585–324 in total yards, overcoming turnovers and the stadium's technical problems to get the win.
Florida State, now 1-1, struggled to slow SMU's passing game and couldn't turn takeaways into points. After the delay, the Seminoles failed to close out the game, leaving the home crowd frustrated as time ran out.
ESPN reported that the power outage was caused by a short circuit in the stadium's busway, which led to a surge damaging a transformer on the west side. Officials isolated the faulty equipment and restored stable power, allowing the game to continue despite ongoing technical limitations.
Jennings called the win a lesson in persistence. He admitted to early mistakes but said execution in the final moments mattered most. SMU's depth at receiver and ability to adjust after the blackout made the difference, giving the Mustangs a hard-fought win to start their season.
Next, SMU hosts UC Davis in Dallas, hoping for a less chaotic game. Their performance in Tallahassee—big plays mixed with costly errors—sets a high standard for the rest of the year. The Mustangs showed they can handle adversity, both on the field and off, and left Florida with a win that says as much about their resilience as their talent.
