SMU QB Jennings cleared for Pitt showdown

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has been cleared medically for the Top 20 clash with Pittsburgh this weekend and will start for the Mustangs on Saturday night, coach Rhett Lashlee told ESPN.

Jennings has been described as being amongst a “bunch of beat up guys” by Lashlee and was listed as questionable heading into the game. His injury has not been disclosed. He required medical clearance to go on Saturday night, sources had told ESPN earlier in the week. That clearance came late this week, Lashlee said.

Jennings is 5-0 as a starter this season for No. 20 SMU, which hosts a key match-up against No. 18 Pitt. Jennings is 6-1 overall in his career as a starter and has emerged as the engineer of one of the ACC’s most dangerous offenses.

Jennings has thrown 10 touchdowns and five interceptions for SMU this season, and he’s thrown for 1,594 yards. He completed 21-of-27 passes in a road win at Louisville and threw for 322 yards in a win at Stanford. He’s also run for 321 yards and three touchdowns.

Both quarterbacks in the game on Saturday night had some ambiguity around their status. Pitt’s Eli Holstein was also cleared late in the week, coach Pat Narduzzi announced on his radio show on Wednesday.

Both teams are undefeated in ACC play, as Pitt enters 7-0 overall (3-0 ACC) for the first time since 1982. SMU is 7-1 overall (4-0 ACC), with its only loss coming early in the year to undefeated BYU.

Jennings took a hit that Lashlee has called “a real shot” during SMU’s game at Duke on Saturday night. He did throw three interceptions in the 28-27 SMU win.

In ACC play, SMU’s offense ranks No. 3 in scoring with 36.0 points per game. They also rank third with 477.3 yards per league game.

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