SMU Rolls Past Boston College 45–13, Keeps ACC Championship Hopes Alive

SMU Rolls Past Boston College 45–13, Keeps ACC Championship Hopes Alive

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — The SMU Mustangs left little doubt about their postseason intentions on Saturday, dominating Boston College 45–13 on the road to notch their seventh win of the season and remain firmly in the hunt for the ACC title.

From the opening kickoff, SMU imposed its will on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Kevin Jennings orchestrated the offense with poise and precision, throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns, including a 61-yard strike that broke the game wide open in the third quarter. Running back Derrick McFall added three rushing scores, giving the Mustangs a balanced attack that Boston College simply couldn’t contain.

The Mustangs’ defense, meanwhile, continued to play like one of the nation’s most opportunistic units. SMU forced four turnovers and came up with three fourth-down stops, suffocating the Eagles’ offense and limiting them to just 13 points their lowest output in over a month.

By halftime, SMU led 17–6 and showed no signs of slowing down. The second half became a statement, with the Mustangs piling on 28 more points while shutting down any hint of a Boston College comeback.

For the Eagles, the loss extended a painful season. Now sitting at 1–9 overall and winless in conference play, Boston College struggled to find rhythm offensively and failed to capitalize on red-zone chances. Their defense, often left on the field for long stretches, couldn’t keep up with SMU’s tempo or explosive playmaking.

“This was about discipline and execution,” said SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee after the game. “We’ve talked about staying focused week to week, and I thought our guys did exactly that today.”

The win marks back-to-back dominant performances for SMU, coming just one week after their upset over then-No. 10 Miami. With a 5–1 record in ACC play, the Mustangs now have a legitimate shot at reaching the conference championship. 

Next up, SMU will get a much needed bye before facing Louisville in a game that could determine their postseason fate. Boston College, meanwhile, returns home to face Georgia Tech, still searching for answers to end a season of frustration.

For now, though, the Mustangs’ message is clear: they belong among the ACC’s best.