SMU QB Kevin Jennings cleared for top-20 Pitt showdown

Field Level Media|published: 11/01/2024, 1:22pm EDT

Oct 19, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) walks off of the field after defeating the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has been medically cleared and will start Saturday night for the No. 20 Mustangs against No. 18 Pittsburgh in Dallas.

Jennings had been listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury sustained in the victory at Duke last Saturday, but coach Rhett Lashlee told ESPN on Friday that the sophomore had been cleared late this week.

Jennings has powered the Mustangs (7-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) to five straight wins, with SMU averaging 42.0 points per game during the streak.

He has completed 110 of 171 passes (64.3 percent) for 1,594 yards and 10 touchdowns with five interceptions in eight games this season. He also has rushed 67 times for 321 yards and three TDs.

He leads the ACC in passing yards per completion (14.49) and is second in yards per attempt (9.32).

Pitt (7-0, 3-0) had its own quarterback issue. Starter Eli Holstein was questionable with an undisclosed injury, but coach Pat Narduzzi said on his radio show Wednesday that he has been cleared to play.

--Field Level Media