SMU appears to be the legitimate favorite to win the ACC after defeating No. 22 Louisville 34-24. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)
No. 22 Louisville lost 34-27 to SMU on Saturday after an apparent fumble by Mustangs running back Brashard Smith was overturned on replay review.
After gaining 19 yards rushing to Louisville’s own 13-yard line, Smith appeared to fumble and the ball was recovered by the Cardinals. That was the call on the spot. However, officials who reviewed the play determined that Smith’s shin touched the ground before the ball came off his right arm.
After possessing the ball, SMU advanced to the Louisville 1-yard line on consecutive pass interferences and offside penalties. On the next play, LJ Johnson Jr. scored on a rush up the middle.
On the next series, Louisville was highlighted by a 32-yard pass from Tyler Schau to Mark Redman and a hand following a face penalty to SMU defensive lineman Cameron Robertson, tying the game. He drove 59 yards in nine plays toward the end.
But three plays later, Shaw was picked off in the end zone by Isaiah Nwokobia. The game was effectively over with 2:34 remaining as SMU was able to run out the clock.
Jennings led the Mustangs with 281 passing yards, completing 21 of 27 passes, and also scored 113 points on 10 carries. Brashard Smith had 13 rushes for 52 yards and RJ Maryland had six receptions for 83 yards.
Louisville’s Shaw completed 22-of-35 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Isaac Brown had 117 yards on 10 carries, and Jacorey Brooks caught three passes for 121 yards and two scores.
The Cardinals fell to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the ACC.
SMU is a legitimate contender in the ACC
With this win, SMU improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. This puts the Mustangs in a great relationship with Clemson (3-1, 2-0 ACC) and Miami (5-0, 1-0 ACC), who are also undefeated in the conference.
Rhett Lashley’s team doesn’t have to play the Tigers or Hurricanes in its remaining six games, but five of its opponents have winning records, including Duke University and the University of Pittsburgh (both 5-0). ) is also included.
Meanwhile, Clemson has Louisville and Pittsburgh (5-0) awaiting them, in addition to a season-ending rivalry game against South Carolina. Miami still has the Cardinals, in-state rivals Florida State and Duke on the schedule.
