Dallas, Texas — Brashard Smith showcased his exceptional skills with 161 rushing yards, including a standout 71-yard run for his first of two touchdowns, alongside a remarkable tiptoe catch for a third score, as the No. 20 SMU Mustangs seized a dominant 48-25 victory over the previously undefeated 18th-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday night. This win allows the Mustangs to maintain their position at the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference standings in their inaugural season within a power conference.

The Mustangs, boasting an 8-1 record and a perfect 5-0 in the ACC, have made history by becoming the first team to clinch a 5-0 record in their first season competing in a major conference after joining from a Group of Five league.

Quarterback Kevin Jennings performed admirably, completing 17 of 25 passes for 306 yards, accompanied by two touchdown throws. His final throw connected with tight end Matthew Hibner for an explosive 80-yard touchdown, occurring just after Jonathan McGill’s interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter.

Pitt, with a record of 7-1 and 3-1 in the ACC, was aiming to secure an 8-0 record, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 1981 when legendary quarterback Dan Marino led the Panthers. Redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein, who had an undisclosed injury in the previous game, threw for 248 yards on 29 of 47 attempts but did not return in the last nine and a half minutes due to the overwhelming scoreline.

The defeats experienced by both Pittsburgh and No. 11 Clemson on Saturday allowed SMU to tie with the fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes, who hold an undefeated record of 9-0 and are also 5-0 in the conference. Notably, the Mustangs do not face the Hurricanes during the regular season.

SMU established their lead early on, with LJ Johnson’s 2-yard touchdown run concluding the opening drive. Roderick Daniels Jr. added to the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown on a reverse play, showcasing his agility by dodging a defender in the backfield and leaping over another to cross the goal line.

Smith’s impressive long touchdown run followed a missed 47-yard field goal by Ben Sauls, who had previously made a successful 44-yard attempt. The Mustangs found themselves leading 28-3 after Jennings rolled to the right on a critical third-and-goal play from the 3-yard line, connecting with Smith, who managed to keep his feet inbounds as he reached out to catch the ball in the end zone.

In an unfortunate moment, SMU cornerback AJ Davis remained face down on the field after making contact with the returner during the ensuing kickoff. He was later immobilized on a stretcher and transported to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, later updates indicated that Davis had regained full movement.

**Key Takeaways**
Pittsburgh struggled with effectively finishing tackles early in the game, leading to significant plays by the Mustangs that resulted in touchdowns. They faced a daunting deficit of 34-3 before finally scoring a touchdown in the waning moments of the third quarter. Notably, three of their earlier victories this season were decided by four points or fewer.

For SMU, Jennings’s performance marked a significant rebound following a game where he was responsible for five of the team’s six turnovers in an overtime win against Duke. The Mustangs have now won five consecutive games since suffering an 18-15 home loss to BYU, who remains unbeaten. This defeat stands as the only loss in their last 13 home games, during which they have averaged over 50 points per contest.

**Poll Implications**
Entering the weekend, Pittsburgh was acknowledged as the lowest-ranked undefeated team among the Power Four. The Panthers succumbed to their first loss, potentially endangering their standing in the rankings. Conversely, the Mustangs’ impressive win is likely to result in a rise in their ranking, possibly challenging the No. 15 position they achieved in 2019, which was their highest ranking since they were third in 1985.

**Next Matchups**
Pittsburgh will play their next two games at home, starting with a matchup against Virginia next Saturday, followed by a game against No. 11 Clemson on November 16. Meanwhile, SMU will have a bye week before they host Boston College on the same date.