No. 19 SMU defeated Florida State 27-24 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, opening the season with a dramatic ACC victory.

The game was delayed nearly two hours after a power outage at the stadium, with the contest eventually getting underway under limited operating conditions. Despite the unusual circumstances, both teams traded big plays throughout the night.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings led the Mustangs' offense, completing 26 of 36 passes for 430 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Jalen Cooper, Randy Pittman Jr. and Yannick Smith for touchdown passes, including a 79-yard strike to Smith in the fourth quarter.

Florida State continued to battle back, with running back Ousmane Kromah rushing for 116 yards and a touchdown while quarterback Ashton Daniels added 71 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Seminoles took advantage of a strong fourth quarter to erase SMU's seven-point lead and tie the game at 24-24.

With less than two minutes remaining, SMU drove into Florida State territory and set up Reed for the deciding kick. Reed converted the 20-yard field goal with 25 seconds left to put the Mustangs ahead 27-24.

Florida State had one final opportunity, but Daniels' last three passes fell incomplete as SMU secured the victory.

The win gives SMU a 1-0 start to the 2026 season and another ACC victory, while Florida State falls to 1-1.