Kevin Jennings injury update: Rhett Lashlee confirms SMU QB will start vs. Pitt
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings will start against No. 18 Pitt on Saturday, head coach Rhett Lashlee told ESPN’s Pete Thamel Friday. He went down against Duke last week in the team’s ninth straight road win, tied for the longest active road win streak in the country.
Saturday’s game is being carried on ACC Network in a battle of undefeated teams in ACC play, which means there are huge ACC Championship tiebreaker implications at play.
For Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi, his job is to dial up a defensive performance that contains Jennings and star running back Brashard Smith.
“This guy, he‘s got a great strong arm, he can zip it in there,” Narduzzi said of Jennings this week. “I mean it‘s like he’s playing darts out there. He throws darts and obviously he can beat you with his feet. We‘re going to have to contain him as best we can but he’s a guy that likes to scramble and take off running so that’ll be the challenge this week.”
Earlier this week, Lashlee said Jennings is questionable. The starting quarterback for the Mustangs said he was feeling great a few moments after Lashlee’s Tuesday press conference.
“Even Kevin, not 100 percent sure he’s cleared yet. Just like them, they got a capable guy, we have a capable guy in Preston (Stone),” Lashlee said. “I’d say Kevin is questionable. He took a real shot on their sideline.”
Jennings spent the week practicing and getting his body ready to go after a Top 20 matchup against Pitt in Ford Stadium.
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“I feel great, just trying to get my body back right,” Jennings said. “As of right now, feel really good. Just stay in the treatment room and get myself back up. It was a really tough hit. I was down for a little bit, but thank God I was able to bounce back and come back in the game.”
Kevin Jennings threw across the field on 3rd and 10 at Duke and was intercepted with 8:35 to go in the 4th quarter against Duke. He was helped off the field after being hit low and went to the injury tent, but did return for the Mustangs. SMU went on to win in overtime, 28-27.
Jennings remained undefeated in 2024 as SMU’s starting quarterback, but committed five turnovers in SMU’s turnover-filled offensive showing against the Blue Devils. He finished 13-of-24 for 258 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions while adding 13 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown. He lost two fumbles as well.
“Just my all-around game, honestly,” Jennings said of what he needs to improve. “Made too many mistakes on the field I shouldn’t be making. Taking care of the ball, not putting the ball in jeopardy and holding the ball tight as I possibly can. To have teammates alongside of me picking me up, telling me it was going to be okay, keeping my head up and things like that, it’s always a good culture like that if I got somebody to lean on. They really picked me up the whole weekend.”
