Category Archives: loss

SMU hits historic new low in loss to Wake Forest

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SMU Football Hits First ACC Loss in Winston-Salem Against Wake Forest

SMU football entered Winston-Salem with an unblemished Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) record, having never lost a conference game since joining the ACC. Still very much in the ACC title game picture, the Mustangs faced Wake Forest with high hopes. However, on Saturday, SMU experienced a new low.

The Demon Deacons snatched victory from the ACC runner-up and 2024 College Football Playoff contender with a walk-off field goal. This marked SMU’s first defeat in ACC play since joining the conference. College football reporter Matt Fortuna notes that this is also the Mustangs’ first conference loss since November 17, 2022, when Tulane—then an American Athletic Conference team—upended SMU. At that time, both teams were members of the American Athletic Conference.

SMU’s Offensive Struggles vs. Wake Forest

The Mustangs introduced a high-octane offense in their ACC debut last season under quarterback Kevin Jennings. Jennings had recently impressed fans with a dazzling behind-the-back pass, showcasing the potential of SMU’s 2024 attack. However, against Wake Forest, SMU and Jennings looked far from their usual dynamic form.

The Dallas-based university went punt, turnover on downs, punt, and another punt on their first four possessions, struggling to generate offense. They did not put points on the board until their fifth offensive possession, when kicker Sam Keltner converted a 36-yard field goal. But on the very next drive, Jennings took a sack and lost the ball, with Wake Forest’s Jayden Loving recovering the fumble caused by Gabe Kirschke.

SMU’s lone touchdown came late in the third quarter when Shaadie Clayton-Johnson scored on a six-yard run. Despite this, the Mustangs had trouble moving the ball on the ground, managing just 75 total rushing yards at 2.7 yards per carry. Jennings, a dual-threat quarterback, contributed only seven rushing yards and threw for 171 yards. He was also intercepted by Wake Forest’s Karon Prunty.

Wake Forest Becomes the First Team in 2025 to Shut Down Jennings

Wake Forest became the first team in the 2025 season to prevent Kevin Jennings from throwing a single touchdown pass. Moreover, their victory ended SMU’s impressive conference winning streak.

As SMU looks ahead, they will need to regroup and address the offensive issues that surfaced against the Demon Deacons to stay competitive in the ACC title race.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/smu-hits-historic-new-low-in-loss-to-wake-forest

“Typical terrible Sean McVay 4th & 1 call”: Bill Simmons goes off on Rams HC over questionable play calling in upset loss to 49ers

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Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay has come under scrutiny for his decision on a crucial play in the 26-23 overtime loss against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.

The Rams had an underwhelming first half against the 49ers but came back roaring in the second half to take the game into overtime. However, McVay called a run into the line on fourth-and-1 instead of kicking a field goal on the drive. The 49ers read the play and stopped it for no gain.

Bill Simmons sounded off on the Rams coach for his decision that played a huge role in the loss.

“Rams went for it on a typical fourth-and-1 call, typical terrible Sean McVay fourth-and-1 call,” Simmons said. “For what a genius he is as an offensive mind and I think he is one of the best five or six coaches, it’s stunning how bad some of his big fourth-and-1 or season on the line or game on the line calls are.”

Following the loss, McVay acknowledged that he had made a mistake with his decision in the post-game conference.

“Bad call by me,” McVay said. “Thought about maybe trying to draw them offsides, I took one [timeout], they took the other and it was a poor decision by me right there.”

### Sean McVay Felt “Sick” for Putting His Players in a Tough Spot

McVay admitted that it’s his job to put his players in the best positions, something he failed to do against the 49ers. He also talked about thinking about kicking a field goal on the play.

“In hindsight, I wish I would’ve,” McVay said. “We came in here to try to win the football game. It didn’t go down for us, that wasn’t even a thought. But the play selection was very poor, I’m sick right now because I put our players in a shitty spot and I got to live with that.”

McVay is looking to bounce back from the loss and expects a strong performance from his players against the Baltimore Ravens in the Week 6 game on Sunday.

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**About the author**
*Chaitanya Prakash* is an editor who covers US Sports at Sportskeeda. His first brush with sportswriting was in 2012 when the greatest football manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, bid farewell to the beautiful game. Although having started out professionally as a cricket writer in 2022, Chaitanya’s curiosity and indiscriminate interest in all sports in general eventually introduced him to America’s favorite pastime.

While Chaitanya’s favorite player from the current crop is the dynamic Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr., his all-time favorite, however, is Pedro Martinez, for his self-belief and consistency. He also rates Jose Bautista’s iconic bat flip in 2015 as his favorite moment in baseball history.

Chaitanya specializes in reporting on technical aspects of the game or analyzing patterns behind specific plays. He also likes pondering over players’ self-assessments following the conclusion of a game as it helps him get an idea of how they think about the sport in general.

When not cheering for his favorites across sports, Chaitanya likes being transported to the past through a good war documentary or a historical documentary in general.

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https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-typical-terrible-sean-mcvay-4th-1-call-bill-simmons-goes-rams-hc-questionable-play-calling-upset-loss-49ers