Penn State opened the College Football Playoff by steamrolling mistake-prone SMU with a commanding 38-10 victory on Saturday. The Nittany Lions showcased their defensive prowess as Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas both returned interceptions for touchdowns, marking a decisive end to SMU’s playoff aspirations.
The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions (12-2) advanced to face fourth-seeded Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve. They relentlessly pressured Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings, forcing three turnovers. Two of those turnovers came from poorly thrown passes in the first half, which DeLuca and Rojas turned into pick-sixes. This electrifying play ignited the white-out crowd at Beaver Stadium, sending SMU (11-3) into a downward spiral.
Penn State’s offense also contributed to the rout, with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen scoring rushing touchdowns. Drew Allar completed 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards, playing every significant snap after backup Beau Pribula entered the transfer portal earlier in the week.
Jennings, who had been a standout performer during SMU’s undefeated regular season in the ACC, struggled significantly. He completed 20 of 36 passes for 195 yards, adding a late touchdown but also throwing three interceptions. His day started poorly when he missed a wide-open Matthew Hibner at the goal line, which ended a promising opening drive for the Mustangs.
On SMU’s second drive, Jennings’ pass to Brashard Smith sailed over the running back’s head and was intercepted by DeLuca, who dashed 23 yards to score. In the second quarter, Jennings attempted a risky throw under pressure, resulting in Rojas snagging the ball and returning it 59 yards for another touchdown, pushing the Nittany Lions to a 14-0 lead.
The early defensive scores allowed Allar and the Penn State running game to find their rhythm. Allen capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 21-0. Singleton later plunged in from one yard out to make it 28-0 just before halftime.
Unlike their previous game against Clemson, where SMU rallied from a 17-point deficit, this time there was no comeback in sight. The final two quarters provided the over 106,000 fans braving the low-20s temperatures a chance to relish a significant victory, something that has been infrequent during James Franklin’s successful tenure.
With this challenge successfully navigated, another awaits in the desert on New Year’s Eve.
Takeaways
SMU: Similar to the tenth-seeded Indiana, the Mustangs failed to justify the CFP selection committee’s decision to place them in the playoffs over traditional powerhouses like Alabama and Miami (Fla.). Their inaugural ACC season ended with a disappointing performance.
Penn State: The defense rebounded impressively after a lackluster showing in the Big Ten title game against Oregon, effectively shutting down an SMU offense that boasted an impressive average of 38.5 points and 443 yards per game.
Up next
SMU: The Mustangs will aim to build on their bold ACC debut next fall, facing tough opponents like Miami, Clemson, and Louisville in their conference schedule.
Penn State: The Nittany Lions will seek to achieve a historic 13th win when they head to the Fiesta Bowl, a game in which they have an undefeated record of 7-0.
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