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Postgame Notes: SMU 26, Tulane 14

On3 imageby:Billy Embody•12/02/23•

BillyEmbody

postgame-notes-smu-26-tulane-14-aac-championship
Dec 2, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) scrambles out the pocket against the Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

SMU Postgame Notes – December 2, 2023

AAC Championship Game

[25/24] SMU 26, [17/18] Tulane 14

SMU (11-2), Tulane (11-2)

Yulman Stadium – New Orleans, Louisiana

Media Guide | Roster | Schedule

NEXT GAME

Bowl Game – TBD

AAC CHAMPIONS

SMU’s first AAC Championship

SMU’s 12th conference title – 1923, 1926, 1931, 1935, 1940 (shared), 1947, 1948, 1966, 1981, 1982, 1984 (shared), 2023

GAME TOTALS

First half

Score: SMU 26, Tulane 14

Total yards: SMU 396, Tulane 269

First downs: SMU 21, Tulane 12

Third downs: SMU 6-16, Tulane 2-15 (and 1-4 4th downs)

Rushing yards: SMU 193, Tulane 31 (6th time this season holding teams below 100 yards rushing)

First half

Score: SMU 14, Tulane 7

Total yards: SMU 249, Tulane 82

First downs: SMU 13, Tulane 3

Third downs: SMU 6-9, Tulane 0-6

TEAM NOTES

Captains: Jake Bailey #12, WR, Sr.), Elijah Chatman (#40, DT, Sr.), Brandon Crossley (#1, S, Sr.), Tyler Lavine (#31, RB, Sr.), Jonathan McGill (#2, S, Sr.), Justin Osborne (#51, OL, Sr.), Preston Stone (#2, QB, So.)

Isaiah Nwokobia named AAC Championship Game MVP

Mustangs won 26-14 – Entered game 4th in FBS in scoring offense (41.8) and 13th in scoring defense (17.7)

  • 8th time this season holding opponents under 20

Mustangs are 11-2 this season and has won 9 consecutive games

  • Most wins in a season since 1982 (11-0-1)
  • Longest winning streak since in the same season since 10 straight in 1982
  • Longest winning streaks since 14 overlapping 1981 (last 4) and 1982 (first 10)
  • Mustangs are 18-8 under Rhett Lashlee, including 14-3 against AAC opponents (13-3 in league play)

Mustangs had 7 sacks (tied season high), 8 TFLs, 7 pass breakups with 1 takeaway

  • Sacks: Alexander Kilgore (1), Nelson Paul (1.5 – 4.5 this season ), Kori Roberson (0.5), Elijah Roberts (1 – 9.5 this season), Isaiah Smith (2.5 – career high), Kobe Wilson (0.5)
    • Now have 47 sacks on the season, 2nd in a season at SMU
    • 7th game this season with 4+ sacks, including 6 of the past 7 games
  • Interception: Isaiah Nwokobia (4th of the season – most by a Mustang since 2020)

Mustangs held Tulane to 2-15 on 3rd down, including 7 three-and-outs (entered game 4th in FBS in 3rd down defense at 28.2%)

  • Allowed just 12 first downs total for Tulane
  • Tulane was also 1-4 on 4th down

Colling Rogers mad a career-high FGs, going 4-5 on FGs (made 48, 32, 32, 45)

  • Has an SMU RECORD 20 made this season

Kevin Jennings was 19-33 passing for 203 yards with a TD plus 15-63 rushing in first career start

  • TDs: Key’Shawn Smith (17 yards)

Mustangs blocked a punt (Charles Woods) in the first quarter (SMU scored a TD on the ensuing possession)

  • First blocked punt by the Mustangs since Trevor Denbow vs. ACU, Sept. 4, 2021
  • Second blocked kick of the season for the Mustangs (blocked FG vs Prairie View A&M, Sept. 16, 2023)

ESPN Highlights

Radio Highlights and Head Coach Rhett Lashlee postgame radio | SMU Radio Network on KTCK “The Ticket” 96.7 FM, 1310 AM (Rich Phillips pxp, Scott Garner analyst, Steve Lansdale sideline) – Credit: Learfield / SMU Radio Network

School press release.

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