DALLAS — SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings said Thursday the Mustangs intend to establish the run early at Florida State on Monday, with rain in the Tallahassee forecast and three running backs already ruled out.
Last season the carries concentrated in fewer hands. Jennings expects a rotation this time.
“It’d be really exciting. Last year, I’m kind of sure that we were involved. I think this year is back after back after back,” Jennings said. “All of them carry, and all of them are great backs and all that. So it’ll be very exciting to see the guys go put on a show.”
Jennings threw for 3,641 yards with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2025, completing 66.1% of 454 attempts across 13 starts. He added 70 carries for 55 yards and four rushing touchdowns.
Cal transfer Kendrick Raphael arrives as the projected starter after running 232 times for 943 yards at Cal last season. TJ Harden led SMU with 171 carries for 787 yards and nine touchdowns.
SMU Rules Out Three Running Backs For Florida State
SMU ruled out running backs Link Rhodes, Christian Rhodes, and EJ Kelly on the initial ACC availability report released Thursday night. Link Rhodes tore an ACL and is out for the season. Offensive lineman Abel Hoopii, who broke a foot while competing for the open left guard job, is also out for the year.
Coach Rhett Lashlee announced both season-ending injuries on Aug. 26.
Jennings put the responsibility on the line, the backs, and the tight ends together.
“Especially the way Florida State plays defense, it’s very important to establish a run game to start off with,” Jennings said. “So I think we’re gonna do a really good job of that. Our whole line is ready for the job, our running backs ready for the job, tight ends, everybody’s ready. So we’re gonna do a really good job at that.”
Florida State held New Mexico State to 17 points in a 34-17 win on Aug. 29, its only game so far.
“They’re a big physical team. Everybody’s out there very skilled and fast,” Jennings explained. “So as long as we guys can do our basic game plan that we know how to do, we’ll be fine. They’re a really good team, but I think we have to look at the offense and defense as well.”
Kevin Jennings On Week One Nerves At Doak Campbell
Jennings’ message to teammates who have not played in an atmosphere like Doak Campbell is that they have been training for it their whole lives.
“I don’t ever think you can avoid it,” Jennings said. “I think it’s like, after the first game, everything’s out there, not jittery. I’m already ready to go. So I think just getting that first completion or first long run and whatnot out there and, as the game goes by, all that stuff goes away.”
“Of course, I’m going to be really loud, so just trust your arm, trust your feet, and then you’ve been training for this moment your whole life,” Jennings continued. “To get in there at FSU, in front of an amazing crowd, it’s a blessing to just go out there and play a game. So, honestly, just go out there, play a game of football like you know how to play.”
Jennings is entering his fifth year at SMU and has 19 wins as a starter. He grew up in Oak Cliff and won a Class 5A Division II state title at South Oak Cliff in 2021. He took over the starting job four games into 2024 and threw for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns as SMU reached the ACC championship game and the College Football Playoff.
He was limited by a throwing-hand injury during fall camp and was ramping back up in the final weeks before the opener, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.
SMU Opens ACC Play In Week One
Monday is a conference game, which is new for a Week 1 opener. The ACC moved to a nine-game league schedule this season, and SMU drew Florida State in the first slot.
“We really never see a throwaway game. It’s always an opportunity to go out there and play a game,” Jennings said. “So with this being a conference game, first game of the year, it’s a little something out there. So you just gotta go, get to a high level. Normally we treat this like a get-ready-for-the-season game, but this one is a challenge for us. It’s a great one.”
SMU returns one of the ACC’s most experienced offensive lines. The Mustangs ranked in the top 25 nationally last season in passing offense, red zone offense, and fourth-down conversion percentage.
The Mustangs and Seminoles have met once. SMU won 42-16 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in 2024 in its first game as an ACC member.
Tight end Randy Pittman Jr. transferred to SMU in January after a season at Florida State.
Kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. SMU is ranked No. 19 in the AP Top 25.
