3 biggest mistakes of SMU that cost Rhett Lashlee an ACC championship

The No. 8-ranked SMU Mustangs led by Rhett Lashlee had an impressive season entering the ACC championship game on Saturday against the No. 17-ranked Clemson Tigers led by Dabo Swinney. Despite being slight favorites, the Mustangs found themselves playing catch-up and were 17 points down entering the fourth quarter. Although they rallied, they ultimately lost 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal.

During his postgame news conference, Lashlee was focused on the repercussions for his team in the College Football Playoff rankings that would be announced by the committee on Sunday.

“I'm hurting because I think, for good reason, their faith in the system is shaken right now,” Lashlee said. “I think they’re all in there wondering: are they going to be in tomorrow? Is the fix in? Or is the right thing going to be done? That’s the truth.”

What were the three biggest mistakes that the Mustangs made in the ACC championship game loss?

#3. The Mustangs defense stalled SMU's momentum

After Kevin Jennings rushed for a 24-yard touchdown, SMU's defense was called for roughing the passer after initially making a huge third-down stop. Mustangs defensive back Cameron Robertson hit Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik as he was throwing the ball, leading to a new set of downs for the Tigers, wresting momentum away just after they had gained some.

The Mustangs' defense went to sleep in the ensuing drive as Clemson wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. scored a 43-yard touchdown and left Lashlee's team with a 24-7 deficit at halftime.

#2. The Mustangs gave away too many penalties

In the first half with their backs against the wall, the Mustangs gave away penalties that impacted the momentum of the game. Safety Isaiah Nwokobia had an unnecessary roughness penalty called against him which moved Klubnik and the Tigers to the Mustangs' 30-yard line.

In the second quarter, SMU was let down once again when wide receiver Jordan Hudson tackled the punt returner who had called a fair catch, nullifying its advantage that had the team on the Tigers' end of the field. Clemson only started inside their 25-yard line twice in the first half, with four of their seven drives coming inside the Mustangs' territory.

#1. Kevin Jenning's turnovers cost SMU

During the first drive of the game, the Clemson Tigers sacked SMU QB Kevin Jennings, recovered the fumble and clinched the momentum of the game, going up 14-0 in the first quarter. The Mustangs only wrestled back momentum at the start of the fourth quarter.

Jennings was sacked twice, and although he led the comeback effort, he went 31 of 50 for 304 yards resulting in three TDs and one interception and left the Mustangs with too much to do to complete the comeback.

The SMU Mustangs and Rhett Lashlee will anxiously wait for the CFP committee's decision on their postseason fate as they battle against the Alabama Crimson Tide for a spot in the expanded CFP.