The SMU Mustangs delivered a commanding offensive performance on Friday night, dominating the Prairie View A&M Panthers in a lopsided contest in a 69-0 shutout. The Mustangs displayed their quarterback depth, with two signal-callers collectively contributing seven touchdown passes while distributing the ball to seven receivers. It was SMU’s first shutout since 2012.
Offensive Prowess
SMU commenced the game with an explosive offensive display in the initial quarter. Starting quarterback Stone threw two early touchdowns, setting the tone for the night. Prairie View missed a pivotal opportunity to score in the first quarter, setting the stage for a relentless SMU offensive onslaught. The pinnacle of the evening materialized when Stone connected with Rodrick Daniels Jr., a native of Duncanville and Dallas, for a remarkable 91-yard touchdown pass to inaugurate the second quarter. Stone’s offensive prowess extended beyond passing as he added another touchdown on a zone read, propelling SMU to an imposing 28-0 lead by halftime. In the first half, Stone impressively contributed five touchdowns, four through the air and one on the ground. The SMU offense accumulated a staggering 566 yards, demonstrating their dominance in the passing and rushing aspects of the game.
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Photo Cred: Dallas Morning News
Prairie View’s Night of Challenges
The Panthers were plagued by penalties and struggled on third-down conversions, managing a dismal 4-15 rate. Additionally, they incurred nine penalties for a total of 95 yards, all within the initial half of the game.
Defensive Excellence
SMU’s defense mirrored the team’s offensive brilliance, limiting Prairie View to 156 total yards. This victory marked the Mustangs’ first shutout since their triumph over Stephen F. Austin on September 18, 2012. The defensive line consistently applied pressure, resulting in three sacks.
Photo Cred: D210Sports
Display of Quarterback Depth
Backup quarterback Kevin Jennings, a Dallas native hailing from Oak Cliff, entered the game during the second half, with SMU enjoying a commanding 49-0 lead. Jennings promptly threw a touchdown pass to Keyshawn Smith, extending the Mustangs’ lead. Jennings secured two touchdowns, underscoring the depth of talent within SMU’s quarterback ranks. Head Coach Rhett Lashlee afforded playing time to all his quarterbacks following Jennings’ second touchdown, providing opportunities for Alex Padilla and Keldric Luster. Padilla, a transfer from Iowa, had seen action in two games in 2022, amassing 21 completions for 173 yards and a touchdown.
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Photo Cred: Dallas Morning News
Looking Ahead
With this dominant performance, the Mustangs have set an impressive tone for the season. This victory underscores their offensive prowess and highlights their defensive capabilities, marking their first shutout in 11 years. As they prepare for the remainder of the season, trailing only one game behind undefeated Memphis in the conference, the team aims to capitalize on this momentum.
