Clemson Can’t Allow SMU QB to Replicate Sellers’ Magic
By: cameronburnett December 7, 2024

The demise of No. 17 Clemson in Rivalry Week was at the hands of South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers. With a second-straight matchup with a mobile leader, the Tigers have to make sure it doesn’t crush its hopes again.

No. 8 SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings might not be as reliant on his mobility as Sellers, but he’s just as capable as an improviser. He’s the Mustangs’ second-leading rusher and uses his legs to create more opportunities down the field.

Ahead of Saturday’s duel for the ACC throne, SMU head coach Brett Lashlee was asked about Sellers’ performance against Clemson and how Jennings could target that same wound.

“. I guarantee you they’ve been focused on fixing that this week. It was kind of weird; it wasn’t — I’m sure there’s frustration on their end because it wasn’t like he was running around with nobody around him. They had him like four or five different times on those big runs. The two touchdown runs that everybody knows about, a couple other long runs, it should have been a negative eight, and everybody has had those games where you’re like, you’ve sacked him three times and next thing you know he’s running down the sidelines,” Lashlee said.

While some saw it as a way to exploit the Tigers, Lashlee almost described as a fluke, using the term “busted plays” in his recollection. Clemson had the opportunities to stop the highlights before it happened and just failed to execute.

For Jennings, finding his spots is what Lashlee hopes for and believes could be the difference in the ACC Championship.

“Kevin is going to have to make some plays. He’s going to have to make some off-schedule plays. There’s going to be some moments where they maybe beat us on a pass rush and they’ve got us and he can escape, or they’ve got everything covered and he can extend plays and make it happen,” Lashlee said.

There’s no question that Jennings will have chances to make or break the game, it’s just a matter of if Clemson will allow him to execute. The Tigers take on the Mustangs at 8 p.m., televised on ABC with the season on the line.