Virginia

5 thoughts from SMU-Virginia: Mustangs clinch conference title berth in first ACC season

Published

2 months ago

November 23, 2024

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5 thoughts from SMU-Virginia: Mustangs clinch conference title berth in first ACC season

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Mustangs spent three decades pushing to be back in a power conference.

This season — and Saturday’s win over Virginia — showed why.

No. 13 SMU (10-1, 7-0) dominated in its final road contest against the Cavaliers (5-6, 3-4) 33-7 to clinch a spot in the ACC title game on Dec. 7.

Between a lights-out defensive performance, which included shutting out Virginia for the first 55 minutes of play, and another impressive showing from quarterback Kevin Jennings, the Mustangs cruised to victory to become the first team in the conference to secure their trip to Charlotte.

Here are five thoughts from the win.

Mustangs continue to make history in first ACC season

Each week during this historic season, SMU has seemingly achieved more feats many thought were impossible during their first year in the ACC.

After tearing through their first six conference opponents, SMU’s win Saturday made it the first team to make the conference title game in its first season after moving from a Group of Five conference to a power conference.

The Mustangs’ dominant win against Virginia was their 16th straight against a conference opponent and 10th consecutive on the road — both among the longest active streaks in FBS.

The Mustangs were picked to finish seventh in the ACC’s preseason poll, majorly exceeding expectations with their season that now has them on the brink of their first College Football Playoff appearance.

Final | No. 13 SMU 33, Virginia 7
SMU clinches a spot in the ACC title game on Dec. 7, becoming the first team to make its conference championship game in the first year after moving from a Group of Five conference to a power conference. pic.twitter.com/CwCIaKxdiW
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) November 23, 2024

SMU defense led by Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte stifles UVA offense

SMU’s defense has been its most consistent facet this season, but after a weaker performance against Boston College last week, the group was seeking a bounce-back game.

That’s exactly what the Mustangs got from Scott Symons’ group, which was 4:16 away from posting its first shutout of the season. The Cavaliers finished with just 173 total yards and 65 on the ground. Last week against Boston College, the Mustang defense allowed 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

SMU was successful in getting to Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea, finishing with nine sacks. Defensive linemen Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte led the team with two each. Kori Roberson had 1.5 sacks.

Virginia made just three red zone trips. It missed a 41-yard field goal in the first half and could not convert a fourth-down attempt in the second half after intercepting Jennings.

With under five minutes to play, Virginia finally found the end zone as Colandrea hit Malachi Fields for the four-yard touchdown.

Kevin Jennings earns spot to compete on conference’s biggest stage

Jennings didn’t even begin the season as an ACC starter, but over the course of the last 12 weeks, he’s proven to be one of the conference’s top quarterbacks.

Against Virginia, Jennings was outstanding again, leading the Mustangs with a career-high 323 yards on 25 of 33 passing (76%) and three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing).

He had a stretch in the first half where he completed 12 straight passes, including a third-down conversion where he dodged multiple sacks before finding Roderick Daniels Jr. for the completion.

Jennings did have two turnovers in the second half, an interception and a fumble.

Nevertheless, a matchup with either Heisman candidate Cam Ward from Miami or Clemson’s Cade Klubnik in the ACC championship will be an intriguing one.

All wide receivers get involved in Jennings’ career day

Jennings has lost two of his top receiving targets over the past few weeks with both tight end RJ Maryand and wide receiver Jake Bailey going down with season-ending injuries.

But Saturday’s win showed the depth of the Mustang pass catchers with six different players recording multiple receptions and combining for 323 total yards.

Jordan Hudson led the group in receptions for the second consecutive week. After recording a career-high seven catches for 99 yards and a touchdown against Boston College, Hudson had six for 56 yards and a 17-yard touchdown reception in the first half against Virginia.

SMU’s leading receiver in yardage, however, was Moochie Dixon, who took four catches 89 yards with a long of 53 yards. Daniels added another five for 58 yards.

Tight end Matthew Hibner had SMU’s final 16-yard touchdown with 1:42 remaining.

The receivers stepped up, as Virginia limited SMU’s running backs, which combined for 111 yards on 35 carries.

Mustangs to close out regular season at Ford Stadium

SMU will get a chance to enjoy senior day next week without worrying about its ACC title game chances.

Having already clinched their spot, SMU will play its final regular-season game at Ford Stadium against Cal with a chance to become the first since the 1992 Florida State Seminoles to finish its inaugural campaign in a power conference unbeaten.

SMU has more to play for beyond the ACC title game. While it looks like the Mustangs will need to win the ACC championship to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, at-large bids are still at play. Finishing 8-0 in conference play would be key to helping the Mustangs’ chances at one of those seven spots — or a better bowl selection should they miss out on the playoff.

They will also await their ACC championship opponent. Miami can secure their title game berth with a win over Syracuse next week, but Clemson would earn the spot if Miami loses.

Find more SMU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Virginia

January 18, 2025 – Virginia Attorney General Miyares Condemns President Biden’s Last Minute Clemency for Cop Killer and Accomplice

Published

3 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

January 18, 2025 – Virginia Attorney General Miyares Condemns President Biden’s Last Minute Clemency for Cop Killer and Accomplice

Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of the Attorney General

Jason S. Miyares
Attorney General

202 North 9th Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804-786-2071
FAX 804-786-1991
Virginia Relay Service
800-828-1120

For media inquiries only, contact:
Shaun Kenney
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Virginia Attorney General Miyares Condemns President Biden’s Last Minute Clemency for Cop Killer and Accomplice

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares today issued the following statement after President Joe Biden announced clemency for Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson – the “Waverly Two” whose criminal acts caused the death of Officer Allen Gibson in 1998.

“I am absolutely outraged by what has happened. My heart is shattered knowing that the men that killed my father are going to be released from prison and can walk the streets freely,” stated Officer Gibson’s daughter, Crissana Gibson. “This is a huge miscarriage of justice, and I am completely disgusted by the outgoing administration. The Virginia Attorney General’s office has worked tirelessly to keep these murderers behind bars, and I am forever grateful for their dedication and hard work. I am so disappointed that the disgraceful Biden administration has failed my family, my father, and the entire law enforcement community. Neither my family nor I have ever supported the release of Richardson or Claiborne, and we denounce this decision by the outgoing failed presidency of Joe Biden and the Democratic Party’s abuse of the justice system.”

“If the Democrats intend to build their vision of social justice on a pile of dead law enforcement officers, they could send no stronger message than the one they sent today,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “The decision not to pardon but merely commute the sentence of Terence Richardson only supports our position that he is in fact guilty of manslaughter. This office will continue to exhaust itself in seeking justice for the family of Officer Allen Gibson and ensuring that those involved are held to account.”

On April 25, 1998, 25-year-old Officer Allen Gibson woke up and went to work as a Waverly police officer. He put on his bulletproof vest and said goodbye to his eight-year-old daughter Crissana. Officer Gibson found Terence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne engaged in a drug deal behind an apartment building. The men attacked Officer Gibson, and Richardson disarmed Officer Gibson and fatally shot him in the stomach right below his bulletproof vest.

Terence Richardson pleaded guilty in Virginia court to involuntary manslaughter, and Ferrone Claiborne pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. A federal appeals court held in 2002 that Richardson “intentionally shot Gibson,” and that the facts “amply support the finding” that Richardson and Claiborne “murdered Gibson.”

Not only did President Obama deny clemency to Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson, but the Biden White House was recently advised by the U.S. Attorney General not to commute the sentences of certain violent offenders.

“Yesterday, Joe Biden woke up and decided that these two violent criminals deserve clemency,” said Miyares. “Joe Biden should be ashamed, but we know that he probably doesn’t even know what he signed. Biden and his staff deserve scorn, shame, and derision for this despicable act. Shame on you, Joe Biden and your enabling staff.
“May the memory of Officer Allen Gibson and his family haunt each of you forever.”

# # #

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Virginia

Donald and Melania Trump watch pre-inauguration fireworks from Virginia golf club

Published

11 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Donald and Melania Trump watch pre-inauguration fireworks from Virginia golf club

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Virginia

Five Takeaways From Virginia Basketball’s 81-67 Loss to Louisville

Published

18 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Five Takeaways From Virginia Basketball’s 81-67 Loss to Louisville

Virginia (8-10, 1-6 ACC) suffered a 81-67 loss to Louisville (13-5, 6-1 ACC) at the KFC YUM! Center on Saturday afternoon. Here are our five takeaways from UVA’s fifth-consecutive loss with Virginia losing four of those games by double digits.

Virginia vs. Louisville Live Updates | NCAA Men’s Basketball

The Cardinals ignited an 11-2 run midway through the first half to build up a lead they never looked back from as the Cavaliers stood no chance, similar to the first matchup this season. With a win on Saturday for the Cardinals, this is the second time Louisville has swept the season series against Virginia, with the first being during the 1989/90 season. The strong start for the Cardinals was powered by their powerful three-point shooter Reyne Smith, who started ¾ from beyond the arc, and Terrence Edwards Jr., who scored 12 points in the first half. In the second half, the Cavaliers never got the lead below 11 as the Cardinals extended their lead to as much as 21, which could have been significantly higher if the starters had remained in the game.

Trying to find positives in a blowout contest is extremely difficult, but Elijah Saunders’ performance is certainly worth noting. The transfer from San Diego State was the only Virginia player to show up in the first half, scoring 11 points before finishing with 19 on the day. Saunders also buried three of his six attempts from three-point land, showcasing a range of ability to drive to the basket and shoot from range. With so much uncertainty looming in Charlottesville regarding who will hit the portal and who will coach next fall, Virginia fans should hope that Saunders stays for another year.

Despite trailing by eleven at halftime, Virginia only committed three turnovers in the first half. Then, in the second half, things came crashing down for the Hoos as the team committed 12 turnovers, bringing the team to 15 on the day. We’ve said it all year on this outlet, and I’ll say it again: for a team like Virginia that plays at the slowest pace in the entire nation, turnovers are the most costly for the team in Charlottesville, which was shown on Saturday.

The Reviville is real down in Louisville with the Cardinals sitting at 13-5, 6-1 ACC. With a decisive win over Clemson earlier in ACC play, the Cardinals find themselves as the second-best team in the ACC behind Duke, who appears to find themselves in a conference of its own in 2025. With transfers Reyne Smith and Chucky Hepburn providing instant offense, the Cardinals will be a team to watch in March.

The Cavaliers have lost five straight games, with four of those games being double-digit losses. There’s not much hope for this team or a path that allows the Cavaliers to turn it around in 2025. With the loss on Saturday, Virginia currently sits second to last in the ACC only in front of Miami. If the Cavaliers finish in the bottom three of the ACC, they will miss the ACC tournament and not even have a shot at a miraculous auto-bid to the ACC tournament.

The Cavaliers return to action on Tuesday, January 21st against Boston College at John Paul Jones Arena.

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