Southern Methodist stops its postseason drought in style

Kevin Jennings threw for 278 yards, highlighted by an 80-yard completion on a razzle-dazzle play on the second play from scrimmage, and Southern Methodist beat No. 21 Arizona 24-19 in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night.

- By BERNIE WILSON

DENIS POROY Associated Press

SOUTHERN Methodist coach Rhett Lashlee, right, and Yamir Knight celebrate after the Mustangs' victory.

Jennings completed 21 of 32 passes, and set up two touchdown runs by T.J. Harden and one by Stone Eby for the Mustangs (9-4). They broke a five-game postseason losing streak that included a 38-0 defeat to Penn State in the opening round of last season’s College Football Playoff. Arizona also finished 9-4.

“These guys brought our program back,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “In the last three years, we won 31 games. For these guys to do that, two of those years were our first two years in the ACC. We've won more games in the ACC than anybody. These guys have put us back on the national stage, with the college playoff berth and now a Holiday Bowl win, and just giving our program a lot of momentum.”

SMU was up 24-0 at halftime, a big enough lead to overcome three interceptions by Jennings in the second half and three touchdown passes by Arizona’s Noah Fifita. And unlike its last visit to the Holiday Bowl, the Mustangs didn't blow the big lead.