SMU quarterback Jennings has PSU’s attention

It’s possible, if not likely, that one offensive play of SMU’s from the recent ACC championship game is featuring prominently in Penn State’s film preparations for Saturday’s College Football Playoff game.

It came with just about seven minutes left in the first quarter and went for SMU’s opening touchdown vs. Clemson.

Quarterback Kevin Jennings, on a designed run from the shotgun, found a hole and turned 24 yards upfield for six points.

Jennings, a 6-foot redshirt sophomore in his first full season as starter, has Penn State’s attention.

“He’s probably one of the best quarterbacks we’ve seen just in athletic ability,” linebacker Kobe King told reporters Tuesday in State College. “He’s going to be a challenge for us, we know.”

This season, Jennings has rushed the ball 93 times for 379 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry with five touchdowns.

In the ACC title game loss to Clemson, he ran for 35 and a score.

“He’s a huge threat on his feet, especially when it comes to extending plays — that’s probably going to be the biggest thing,” Penn State defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas said. “That’s kind of the last thing we want.

“We have some incredible corners, but when you have a quarterback that likes to move around like he does and extend plays, sometimes things tend to happen, especially with a great quarterback like himself — he’s done it all season. You see it on film.”

Coordinator Tom Allen should feel confident in his defensive front’s ability to shrink Jennings’ pocket and create pressure.

However, it’s exactly in those scenarios, when things in the pocket are breaking down, when Jennings has often shined.

With Jennings on the move, Penn State’s secondary will need to be extra diligent in maintaining coverage for a few critical extra seconds.

“He can hurt you with his legs when he extends the play, but I think when he extends the play, he’s looking to throw the football,” Allen said. “Those are really probably the most dangerous (players). Sometimes guys say, ‘Hey, when he starts running around, we’re just going to focus on getting him on the ground as a running back.’

“But you can’t just abort your responsibilities in the pass. A lot of explosive plays they’ve created have been when he’s been maneuvering in the pocket, he buys time and they create separation whether you’re playing man or zone to find an open receiver. The ability to have that threat is tremendous.”

Jennings also has forced opponents to respect his arm.

He’s completed 66% (227 for 344) of his passes for 3,050 yards and 22 touchdowns with eight picks.

Against Clemson, he threw three touchdowns, going 31 for 50 and 304 yards with one interception.

“He’s very accurate, especially on the move, and that’s what sticks out to me that makes him really, really special” Allen said.

SMU has been effective in spreading the ball around.

Entering Saturday’s game at Beaver Stadium, four receivers have at least 30 receptions and seven have 300 or more receiving yards.

Roderick Daniels leads that bunch with 38 grabs for 599 yards and three touchdowns. Key’Shawn Smith has 31 catches, 512 yards and a team-high five scores.

Led by Jennings and featuring a plethora of targets through the air, as well as tailback Brashard Smith, who’s rushed for 1,301 yards and has scored 14 touchdowns, SMU brings the nation’s 20th-ranked offense to Happy Valley, averaging 443.1 yards.

“Any time you have more guys that you feel can make plays for you as an offense, and obviously as a defense, more guys we have to defend and take away — the bottom line is, they do have a very talented football team and they do have many weapons that they can get the ball to,” Allen said.