The SMU Mustangs' 42-16 victory over Florida State had head coach Rhett Lashlee basking in the glory of his team's victory. SMU's first-ever win against an ACC opponent was a significant milestone for the program.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Lashlee admitted. “To come out here and beat a team like Florida State, a national brand, is something we’ve dreamed about for years. Our players, our coaches, our fans, everyone has worked so hard towards this moment.” “

Lashlee was particularly impressed with his team's defensive performance, which held FSU to 295 total yards and recorded three interceptions.

“I don’t know what to say in our defense,” Lashlee said. “They keep reacting. That's what we want to do. We wanted to play physical again and just keep reacting, and they did that. Our defense was absolutely dominant. “They forced turnovers, stopped the run and just played at an elite level.” It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our defensive team and players.

On the offensive side, quarterback Kevin Jennings continued to impress. Jennings finished the night 16/23 for 254 yards and three touchdowns.

“Kevin is a special talent,” enthused Lashlee. “He’s got a great arm, he’s agile and he’s a leader. He makes plays and gets our offense going.”

Lashlee also praised the running backs for their contributions as they played a crucial role in establishing a strong rushing attack. The team accumulated 226 yards on the ground of SMU's 480 total yards on the night, with Brashard Smith leading the way with 129 yards.

“Our running backs are doing a great job,” he said. “They’re physical, they’re elusive and they make big plays. It’s a balanced offense and that’s what we want.”

The win over Florida State was an important statement for SMU and has the potential to be a springboard for future success.

“This is a big win for our program,” Lashlee said. “It validates what we do here and it shows we can compete with anyone in the country.”

As the Mustangs look ahead to the rest of the season, Lashlee is confident his team can continue to improve.

“This is a huge win for our program. It validates what we do here and shows we can compete with anyone in the country.”

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