SMU kicked off its 2025 season in front of a record-breaking student section in bright red jerseys that lit up Ford Stadium Saturday night. The Mustangs took the lead less than a minute into the game and never looked back, defeating the East Texas A&M Lions 42-13 to open the season 1-0.
SMU Head Coach Rhett Lashlee gave his thoughts on the team’s performance after the game.
“Good to be 1-0. Definitely would like to have played a little better, but I’m gonna give East Texas A&M a lot of credit,” Lashlee said. “I told you guys on, I think it was Tuesday, we’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there, and that short time is six days from now. So we gotta make a big jump from Game 1 to Game 2.”
The Mustangs needed just 53 seconds for the fireworks to begin. Quarterback Kevin Jennings hit wide receiver Romello Brinson in stride for a 63-yard touchdown, and Brinson front-flipped into the end zone to mark his full return to SMU.
Brinson missed most of the 2024 season with lingering injuries. But the big touchdown also overshadowed a key moment — an injury to wide receiver Jordan Hudson.
On the first play from scrimmage, Hudson caught a screen pass from Jennings and landed awkwardly on the tackle. He went to the medical tent holding his left shoulder, then headed to the locker room a few minutes later for further evaluation.
A couple of drives after Brinson’s score, SMU linebacker Alex Kilgore intercepted quarterback Will Madonna after the ball bounced off his foot. Kilgore returned it 10 yards for a touchdown, reopening “Club Takeaway,” and pushing the Mustangs’ lead to 14-0. But the celebration was short-lived as Kilgore limped off the field with a possible left ankle injury.
Coach Rhett Lashlee gave updates on Hudson and Kilgore after the game.
“The positive, both of them had X-rays — Jordan on the elbow, Kilgore on the foot or ankle — and the X-rays were negative. So that’s positive,” Lashlee said. “Other than that, I don’t have any more info right now. But I know that was the best-case scenario, so that’s good.”
With Hudson and Kilgore sidelined, others stepped up.
The running back room made an early impact. After SMU went up 14-0, Miami transfer Chris Johnson Jr. broke free for a 22-yard touchdown, weaving through defenders with quick cuts. The Mustangs admitted they didn’t play their best football, but they still jumped out to a 21-0 lead. Fellow transfer TJ Harden, who arrived in the summer from UCLA, also debuted with 42 yards on eight carries.
At wide receiver, true freshman Jalen Cooper rose to the occasion. He hauled in his first two collegiate catches on back-to-back first downs, then sealed the game in the fourth quarter with a 38-yard touchdown reception from Jennings that put SMU up 42-3.
The secondary also shined. In between Johnson’s and Cooper’s touchdowns, senior safety Ahmaad Moses read Madonna’s eyes, snagged an interception, and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown.
Ahmaad Moses broke down in the play in his press conference after the game.
“All I had to do was watch my side of the field,” Moses said. “As soon as I saw the slot go out and his hips turn, I just broke on [the ball] and the QB threw it right to me.”
Moses is expected to have a strong senior season and provide leadership on defense, especially if Kilgore misses time.
The Mustangs went up 42-3 and ran down the clock, finishing with a 42-13 win over the Lions to move to 1-0.
Jennings gave SMU fans plenty of reason for excitement. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 260 yards, two touchdowns, and added a rushing score. Jennings also welcomed back one of his favorite targets, tight end RJ Maryland, who finished with three catches for 34 yards in his return from an ACL tear suffered last October.
Jennings was thrilled to have Maryland back.
“I think he balled out today. He made some people miss on a couple of targets. He made them count,” Jennings said. “I’m excited to play with one of my best friends.”
Next up, SMU hosts Baylor at Ford Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. in a high-stakes regional, non-conference matchup that will give one team bragging rights for the next year.
