SMU’s magical first run through the Atlantic Coast Conference included an unbeaten regular-season record and a trip to the league championship game. It ended with a painful final-play loss Saturday night after a terrific comeback against No. 18 Clemson.
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell tackles SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson, top, in the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee looks on in the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
And now the eighth-ranked Mustangs wait to find out if it somehow derails their chances at a College Football Playoff bid. The Mustangs fell behind by 14 in the opening five minutes and trailed by as many as 17 in the third quarter before rallying with a final-minute touchdown to tie it — only to see Nolan Hauser kick a 56-yard field goal as time expired that pushed the Tigers to the win. It was a shocking finish coming moments after Kevin Jennings had connected with Roderick Daniels Jr. for the tying 4-yard score with 16 seconds left.
Now they can only wait to see if their CFP ranking from earlier this week holds up well enough for the unveiling of the 12-team bracket Sunday.
Southern Methodist Mustangs Kevin Jennings Ahmad Walker Roderick Daniels Atlantic Coast Conference NC State Wire SC State Wire Southern Methodist Mustangs Football TX State Wire AP Top 25 College Football Poll Sports Rhett Lashlee Jim Phillips
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