SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee announced Tuesday that Kevin Jennings will be the team's starting quarterback going forward, ditching the two-quarterback system SMU deployed through the first three games.

The timing of the move allows Jennings to take all first-team practice reps through the bye week and prepare for the Iron Skillet against TCU on September 21st. Preston Stone, who went 11-2 as the starter last season, will be the backup.

"It was not an easy decision," Lashlee said. " Preston is a winner and he loves this place. He's given a lot to this program. It is not all about Preston. It just gives our team the best chance moving forward."

Stone, who spent the offseason rehabbing from a broken leg, gave the Mustangs less dual-threat ability through the first quarter of the season, making him vulnerable behind an offensive line adjusting to Power Four football. Through Stone's three drives against BYU last Friday, the Mustangs compiled negative 24 yards against a heavy BYU blitz. Jennings came on in relief and started the entire second half in an 18-15 loss.

"If you watch and you look at all the evidence, we've moved the ball better at the beginning of the season when (Jennings) is in there, as a team," Lashlee said.

SMU gave Jennings and Stone each two series to start the first three games. Last season, the Mustangs led the nation with 12.3 first-quarter points per game. In 2024, they've been shutout in the first quarter in two of the first three games. In Week One against Nevada, Stone threw an early interception while Jennings completed 4-of-5 passes and led a touchdown drive, but the coaches kept Stone in the entire second half en route to a come-from-behind win. 

This is a developing story.