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Report: SMU Quarterback ‘Expected to Try and Play’ Against Pitt

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A Pitt football lays on the turf on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Mitchell Northam / Pittsburgh Sports Now.) College Football / Signing Period. NCAA.

While there’s likely some gamesmanship going on between Pat Narduzzi and SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee, the quarterback situation for Saturday’s huge ACC clash is still uncertain.

Narduzzi said Monday that it’s “wait and see” with starter Eli Holstein this week, and Lashlee said Tuesday at his weekly press conference that starting quarterback Kevin Jennings is questionable.

“Our guy’s availability is up in the air,” Lashlee said at his press conference via On The Pony Express. “We got a bunch of guys beat up and most of them practiced today, not all of them, but even Kevin, not 100 percent sure he’s cleared yet. Just like them, they got a capable guy, we have a capable guy in Preston (Stone).

“I’d say Kevin is questionable. He took a real shot on their sideline.”

Jennings is still questionable, but according to a report by Pete Thamel of ESPN, Jennings is likely to play against Pitt.

“I was just told within the last hour that he’s expected to try and play on Saturday,” Thamel said on College Football Live. “Sources told me he’s been limited in practices this week, but he has been spotted out there. … He still does need to be cleared for contact before he can play on Saturday night.”

Jennings is coming off his worst performance of the season, turning the ball over five times in an overtime win against Duke, but he’s a dual-threat quarterback who won the starting job from last season’s SMU starter Preston Stone.

Jennings has completed 110-of-171 pass attempts (64.5%) for 1,594 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, adding 67 carries for 321 yards (4.8 yards per attempt) and three touchdowns.

Narduzzi was very complimentary of the SMU quarterback at his weekly press conference on Monday.

“Yeah, he’s really athletic, unlike what we saw last week,” Narduzzi said. “We know last week, he could sling it and throw it accurate, second and third down conversions, but this guy is going to — he’s got a strong arm. He can zip it in there. It’s like he’s playing darts out there. He throws darts.

“Obviously, he can beat you with his feet, so we’re going to have to contain him the best we can, but he’s a guy that likes to scramble and take off running. That’ll be the challenge this week.”

If Jennings is unable to go, Stone will step into the starting lineup. He’s completed 26-of-44 pass attempts (59.1%) for 346 yards with four touchdowns and an interception this season.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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