STATE COLLEGE – SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings said if the Mustangs executed the way they wanted to execute Saturday, “there’s no way they (Penn State) can stop us.”
The Nittany Lions made certain they bridled the Mustangs.
Linebackers Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas returned interceptions for touchdowns as fourth-ranked Penn State routed 10th-ranked SMU 38-10 before 106,013 bundled-up fans at Beaver Stadium.
In their first College Football Playoff game, the Lions (12-2) picked up their first win over a top 10 team since beating Utah 35-21 in the 2023 Rose Bowl and advanced to the CFP quarterfinals. They will face Boise State Dec. 31 in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.
Penn State improved to 27-0 in non-conference games at home since James Franklin became head coach in 2014. Franklin posted his 100th win with the Lions against 41 losses.
Jennings threw three interceptions, all in the first half. DeLuca and Rojas gave Penn State a 14-0 lead with their returns for TDs in the first 17 minutes. DeLuca’s second interception came inside the Penn State 10 in the second quarter.
The Lions held SMU (11-3) to well below its 38.5 points per game, which was sixth in the nation. The Mustangs had scored at least 28 points in 10 consecutive games.
Penn State limited 1,200-yard rusher Brashard Smith to 59 yards on the ground. The Lions sacked Jennings three times and pressured him countless others.
Nick Singleton carried 14 times for 90 yards and one touchdown and Kaytron Allen rushed 11 times for 70 yards and two scores. The Lions ran for 189 yards against the Mustangs, who had been limiting opponents to 93.4 rushing yards per game.
Penn State took command behind its defense in the first half.
DeLuca returned his first interception 23 yards for a touchdown on SMU’s second possession. Rojas returned his interception 59 yards to give the Lions a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
A few minutes later, DeLuca bailed out Franklin after he went for it on fourth-and-1 from the Penn State 20 and Drew Allar was stopped on a quarterback sneak.
DeLuca made his second interception on a Jennings pass from the Lions’ 7. Penn State then marched 75 yards to take a 21-0 lead on Allen’s 25-yard run around left end.
The defense set up the Lions’ fourth touchdown of the half. Dani Dennis-Sutton sacked Jennings on fourth-and-3 at the SMU 38. Seven plays later, Singleton ran off the left side for a 1-yard score and a 28-0 lead.
Penn State was well on its way to the CFP quarterfinals.