The Nittany Lions defense had a field day with the SMU offense, forcing three first half turnovers to open up an insurmountable lead.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — SMU had a rough day in Happy Valley.
With 100,000-plus loud Penn State fans cheering on the Nittany Lions during a “White Out” in Beaver Stadium, SMU shot themselves in the foot time and time again in their 38-10 loss to Penn State on Saturday.
It was shaky from the jump for the Mustangs. South Oak Cliff alum quarterback Kevin Jennings got greedy on a fourth down play where he chose to pass instead of running for a first down in Penn State territory and the receiver dropped the pass.
On their next possession, Jennings threw an interception returned for a touchdown on the second play of the drive.
Another pick six by Jennings in the second quarter extended the Nittany Lions lead to 14-0. Jennings threw a third interception in the first half and the mountain to climb at halftime was a steep one: 28-0.
The Mustangs started the second half with back-to-back trips to the Penn State redzone and only accounted for three total points on those drives. SMU finally got on the board with their first drive of the second half, a nine-play, 42-yard drive that ended with a field goal. Then, Jennings took an 18-yard loss on a sack from the Penn State 6-yard line, which led to a missed 42-yard field goal.
SMU trailed 31-3 entering the fourth quarter. The Mustangs didn’t score a touchdown until mid-way through the fourth quarter, where Jennings connected on a 28-yard pass to Roderick Daniels Jr.
Jennings finished the game throwing for 195 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Takeaways
SMU: Just like 10th-seeded Indiana on Friday, the Mustangs didn’t do much to validate the CFP selection committee’s decision to put them in over bluebloods Alabama and Miami. SMU’s historic first season in the ACC after coming over from the American Athletic ended with a disappointing thud.
Penn State: The defense bounced back from a shaky performance in the Big Ten title game against Oregon by throttling an offense that came in averaging 38.5 points and 443 yards a game.
Up next
SMU: will try to back up their audacious ACC debut next fall, when their conference slate includes games against Miami, Clemson and Louisville.
Penn State: Will try to win a 13th game for the first time in the program’s 131-year history when it heads to the Fiesta Bowl, a game in which the Nittany Lions are 7-0 all-time.
Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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