SMU falls to Boston College in Fenway Bowl, 23-14

SMU Football finished the 2023 season 11-3 overall, dropping its Fenway Bowl matchup against Boston College, 23-14. Here’s the blow-by-blow recap of the game as the Mustangs now turn their attention to the offseason.

SMU took the ball to open the game and quickly picked up a 1st down. Quarterback Kevin Jennings found Roderick Daniels to open the game for a 9-yard gain. After a loss, Jennings found Romello Brinson for a 1st down on 3rd down. He then found Jake Bailey for another 1st down. After dropping it off to Jaylan Knighton, LJ Johnson came in and picked up a 1st down. Jennings scrambled for a 1st down. Jennings fumbled though and Boston College took over at its own 43.

Boston College took over and was stuffed for no gain on 1st down. Thomas Castellanos hit Lewis Bond for a 9-yard gain, bringing up 3rd and 1. Castellanos kept it for the 1st down. Then he scrambled for a 1st down to the SMU 27. After two runs, it brought up 3rd and 10. After a breakup by Charles Woods, BC kicker Liam Connor connected on a 45-yard field goal to make it 3-0.

SMU took over at its own 14 and went three and out. BC took over at the SMU 44-yard line after the punt. Castellanos scrambled for a 1st down to the SMU 30 then the Mustangs forced a 3rd and 9 from the 29. After a Castellanos run, it brought up 4th and 2, but BC was called for a false start. That resulted in a missed field goal by BC.

SMU took over at its own 27, but went three and out. A Jennings pass to Jordan Hudson was broken up, resulting in a punt. BC was also forced to punt, which gave SMU the ball back on its own side of the field. After a 1st down run by Jennings, SMU was called for a hold and that bogged down for a 3rd and 17. Jennings hit Bailey for a 1st down though, getting to the BC 42. SMU faced a 4th and 4 at the BC 36 and picked it up, hitting Bailey for a 1st down. Adam Moore picked up a 1st down on the 16-yard pickup then LJ Johnson ran for 14 yards then scored from 1 yard out. The Mustangs took a 7-3 lead on the 15-play, 78-yard touchdown drive that took 6:32 off the clock.

BC took over and converted a 3rd and 9, gaining 19 to the BC 44. Castellanos ran for seven yards to get into SMU territory. He picked up another 1st down to the SMU 41. BC continued to move down the field, getting into the redzone. Nate Johnson got BC down to the SMU 9. Kye Robichaux scored from six yards out to make it 10-7, BC. That capped a 10-play, 77-yard drive that took 5:59 off the clock.

Key’Shawn Smith returned the ball 38 yards to the SMU 45 to start the drive off. After a Knighton gain of 6, he was stuffed. That brought up 3rd and 4, which Jennings converted with a keeper. Jennings scrambled to find Adam Moore for a 1st down to the 27. Then he hit Hudson for a 1st down to the 15 before scrambling for nine yards to the BC 6-yard line. Jennings hit Knighton for a touchdown pass with eight seconds left in the half, giving SMU a 14-10 lead. That throw capped a 10-play, 55-yard scoring drive that ate up 2:52.

Boston College got the ball to start and got things moving quickly, convert a 3rd and 5 for a 20-yard gain to get into SMU territory. Linebacker Alex Kilgore intercepted Castellanos and Isaiah Nwokobia recovered Kilgore’s fumble on the return to set SMU up at its own 20.

Jennings hit Bailey for a 1st down to the SMU 26, but SMU’s drive fizzled. The Mustangs punted the ball away and BC took over at its own 44. SMU’s defense slowed down BC enough to force a punt. The Mustangs took over at their own 12 with 7:38 to play in the 3rd quarter.

LJ Johnson ran for six yards to start the drive. He picked up a 1st down with a gain of 4 on 3rd and 2 to the SMU 24. A blindside block was called on SMU and that set up a 3rd and 16 from the SMU 18. Jennings drilled Moochie Dixon with a 1st down pass for 21 yards. Knighton ran for six yards to pick up a 1st down. After a drop by Key’Shawn Smith, SMU faced 2nd and 10. Johnson picked up four yards on a swing pass. Jennings hit Johnson for a 1st down to the BC 32. SMU’s drive couldn’t get more push though and SMU kicker Collin Rogers had his kick blocked. BC took over at its own 28.

BC was able to move the ball into SMU territory, converting a 3rd and 7 to get to the SMU 47. Castellanos hit Jaedn Skeete for a 32-yard pickup that set up Castellanos’ 15-yard touchdown run to go up 17-14. SMU took over at its own 35 after a strong kick return. The Mustangs couldn’t get it going, turning it over on downs.

BC took over at its own 43. Robichaux ran for 40 yards to put BC into SMU territory then Castellanos scored on a 14-yard touchdown run, making it 23-14 after a missed point after attempt with 9:48 to play. SMU couldn’t get anything going, punting it away. Boston College punted it right back to SMU at their own 19.

The Mustangs couldn’t do anything with it the rest of the way as Boston College stifled the offense, taking the win, 23-14.