Reed's Late Kick Lifts SMU Past Florida State, 27-24

Twenty-one seconds remained when Nick Reed gave SMU the lead it would keep.

Reed's 20-yard field goal capped a nine-play, 71-yard drive and delivered a 27-24 victory over Florida State in SMU's September 7 season opener at Doak Campbell Stadium. Dallas fans got a finish worth staying up for, and the Mustangs left Tallahassee 1-0 in both the season and ACC play. Official box score

Kevin Jennings threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns. His 79-yard scoring connection with Yannick Smith put SMU ahead 24-17 early in the fourth quarter, before Florida State answered to tie the game again.

Smith finished with 107 receiving yards, while Kendrick Raphael led SMU's rushing attack with 75 yards. The Mustangs had led 17-10 at halftime, but needed one more scoring drive after the Seminoles erased that advantage.

Reed supplied the final points. SMU supplied the opening-night answer: a conference road victory earned all the way to the closing seconds.