Sinking Stone: SMU is Making a QB Change
Photo Credit: Sportskeeda
Following a rocky start to the season for Preston Stone, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee announced Tuesday that sophomore Kevin Jennings would be taking Stone’s place as the starting quarterback. This move came on the heels of a 18-15 loss to BYU, in which Stone went three-and-out in his first two drives. Jennings then took the helm and played the rest of the game, completing 15 of 32 passes for 140 yards and an interception.
Stone, a four-star recruit out of high school, had more than 40 college offers, many from power conference schools such as the University of Texas and Alabama. Despite that, Stone turned down the big schools in favor of SMU, making himself the highest-rated recruit in SMU history. After sitting behind Tanner Mordecai for his first two years, Stone got his chance to shine in 2023. In twelve starts, Stone threw for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns, leading SMU to a 10-2 season and a spot in the AAC championship. However, he broke his leg in the final regular season game against Navy, opening the door for Jennings to make his first collegiate start in the AAC championship against Tulane. SMU won that matchup 26-14 but lost in their bowl game against Boston College.
SMU officially entered the ACC on July 1, 2024, and it looked as though Stone was finally going to get to play on the power-conference stage. In training camp, Stone was deemed fit to play, and Lashlee stated that Stone would be the starter to open the season. However, Lashlee also said that both quarterbacks would see playing time to start the season, which proved to be true; Stone and Jennings each led drives in the first three games. Though neither quarterback has clearly exceeded the other statistically, Lashlee credited Jennings’ mobility and in-game success for the switch.
“If you just watch and you look at all the evidence, we’ve moved the ball better at the beginning of this season when [Jennings] is in there as a team,” Lashlee said. “I think Kevin has a lot of upside and ability to get better each week. He has two career starts, so there’s still some inexperience. I think he’ll get better and better.”
The 2-1 Mustangs now look to Jennings to help them rebound against TCU in a home matchup on September 21, their final non-conference game before ACC play.