The SMU Mustangs defeated the Florida State Seminoles 27-24 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The SMU football team picked up a big victory to start their 2026 season. SMU knocked off Florida State on Monday, 27-24. It was an unprecedented win for the Mustangs.
“SMU is the only FBS or NFL team in the last 30 years to have: -3 or worse turnover margin…twice as many penalties as their opponent…fewer rushing yards than their opponent…lower TOP than their opponent..more missed FG than their opponent …and yet still win the game, the X account OptaSTATS posted.
SMU certainly had miscues in the game. The Mustangs though were able to overcome their setbacks, which included two interceptions.
“It was still our first game. We were getting a feel for the little things,” SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings told ESPN. “We were trying to mix it up a little bit, show different coverages, and all that. But we executed at the end of the game. That's what mattered.”
Jennings ended up throwing the ball over the field. He had 430 passing yards in the game, to slice apart Florida State's secondary. SMU finished the game with 585 yards of offense.
“It's easy for me, just go through my reads and find the open guy,” Jennings said. “Just put the ball in their hands, and know that they're going to make a play.”
It was a brutal loss for Florida State, who enters the 2026 season with major expectations for head coach Mike Norvell. Norvell is on the hot seat entering the year. His Seminoles program has struggled since being left out of the College Football Playoff in 2023.
SMU is now 1-0 on the season. The Mustangs are next in action against UC Davis. That contest is scheduled for September 12.