SMU is still managing to shake up the Atlantic Coast Conference race — even after falling out of the College Football Playoff picture. One week after a heartbreaking loss at Wake Forest, the Mustangs delivered a shocker on Saturday, knocking off No. 10 Miami 26-20 in overtime at Ford Stadium.
T.J. Harden powered across the goal line on a 1-yard run in the extra period, capping an emotional night as the Mustangs (6-3, 4-1 ACC) handed the Hurricanes (6-2, 2-2) their second loss in three weeks and severely damaging Miami’s playoff hopes.
Ahmaad Moses set up the winning score with his second interception of the night, picking off Miami quarterback Carson Beck just short of the goal line on the Hurricanes’ first possession of overtime. Moments later, Harden took four consecutive handoffs — the last one untouched to the left side — and sprinted into the end zone to ignite a wild field-storming celebration.
As Harden crossed the goal line, SMU students poured over the rails behind the Miami bench, flooding the field in jubilation. The crowd eventually toppled the goal post in the end zone where Harden scored — though the base wouldn’t budge, the uprights were pulled loose and carried triumphantly out of the stadium. Ironically, one of those uprights had been the center of controversy earlier when officials ruled Sam Keltner’s 42-yard fourth-quarter field goal attempt “no good” as it sailed over the right post — a call that was not reviewable.
Miami appeared to have control late in the fourth quarter, leading 20-17 before defensive end Marquise Lightfoot committed a critical unnecessary roughness penalty. The hit came just after SMU had burned its final timeout and faced a daunting fourth-and-9 from midfield with 1:08 remaining. Instead of turning the ball over on downs, the Mustangs received a fresh set of downs — and Keltner eventually drilled a 38-yard field goal with 25 seconds left to tie the game.
Miami coach Mario Cristobal then opted not to take any chances, instructing Beck to kneel on the ensuing possession despite having a timeout and 25 seconds to work with. The conservative decision was met with boos from traveling fans — and it proved costly when the Mustangs seized control in overtime.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings threw for a touchdown and ran for another before suffering what appeared to be a lower left leg injury late in the third quarter. He missed just two plays before limping back onto the field, leading the Mustangs to a 43-yard Keltner field goal that tied the game at 17. Despite clearly favoring one leg, Jennings guided his team with poise and toughness, embodying the grit that fueled SMU’s upset.
Beck finished with 274 passing yards and two touchdowns — one each to Joshisa Trader and Alex Bauman — but also threw two interceptions, both to Moses. It was Miami’s first game outside Florida this season, and the Hurricanes never looked fully comfortable against a relentless SMU defense.
The Mustangs, remarkably, had negative rushing yardage when overtime began. Harden’s 25 yards on the game-winning possession brought their total to just 23 for the day, a stat that underlined how opportunistic and resilient this group was.
Miami entered the weekend clinging to its playoff hopes after an earlier loss to Louisville. With two defeats in three games, those dreams are almost certainly gone. The Hurricanes may not drop completely out of the Top 25, but they’re likely headed to the 20s in next week’s poll.
As for SMU, last week’s heartbreaking 13-12 loss at Wake Forest — which ended their 20-game conference winning streak — likely kept them out of playoff contention. Still, the Mustangs extended their home conference win streak to 13 and proved they remain a force in the ACC despite recent setbacks.
A year ago, SMU’s late-season surge carried them to the ACC Championship Game and into the College Football Playoff. This season, they’ve turned spoiler — and they’re doing it in style.
Miami: Returns home to face Syracuse next Saturday. SMU: Travels to Boston College, looking to build on the emotional overtime win.
In a season of ACC chaos, SMU reminded everyone Saturday night that even outside the playoff picture, the Mustangs still have plenty to say about who gets there.
