NEW ORLEANS — Southern Methodist University quarterback Kevin Jennings got hit in his throwing arm and fumbled on the first play of his first collegiate start in a conference championship game on the road.
As Jennings came to the sideline, Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee told him, “That wasn’t your fault.”
“I know,” Jennings answered, and proceeded to play with the poise that SMU needed against Tulane, an opponent that had won 10 straight games and was trying to repeat as American Athletic Conference champion.
Jennings threw a touchdown pass and accounted for 266 yards from scrimmage, Collin Rogers kicked four second-half field goals, and No. 25 SMU beat No. 17 Tulane 26-14 on Saturday in the AAC title game.
“Jennings played just like we thought he would,” Lashlee said. “We trusted him fully, and I think he made a whole lot more big-time plays, particularly on third downs when he was scrambling, than the mistakes.”