SMU was less than four minutes away from escaping with another ACC victory Saturday. Instead, the No. 19 Mustangs watched a seven-point fourth-quarter lead disappear in a devastating 30-27 loss to Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Quarterback Kevin Jennings threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns, but the Mustangs couldn’t deliver the defensive stop they desperately needed, suffering their second conference defeat and putting their ACC championship ambitions in serious jeopardy.

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Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli connected with tight end Noah Meyers on a 2-yard touchdown pass with just 17 seconds remaining, completing an 11-play, 68-yard drive that stunned SMU.

The loss dropped the Mustangs to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in ACC play. Syracuse improved to 4-4 and 2-4 in the conference.

For Rhett Lashlee’s team, the defeat was particularly frustrating because the offense produced enough to win.

Jennings completed 29 of 36 passes without an interception, connecting with Jalen Hale for a 9-yard touchdown in the first quarter and Yamir Knight for a 14-yard score in the third.

Yannick Smith led SMU’s receivers with five catches for 95 yards.

The Mustangs finished with 421 yards of offense and 25 first downs, outgaining Syracuse by 83 yards.

But the running game never established any consistency.

SMU managed just 70 net rushing yards on 31 attempts, averaging 2.3 yards per carry. Kendrick Raphael led the ground attack with 51 yards and a touchdown.

The offensive line also struggled in pass protection, allowing four sacks that cost the Mustangs 52 yards.

Syracuse took advantage of SMU’s mistakes throughout the afternoon, including two lost fumbles and nine penalties totaling 90 yards.

The Orange carried a 20-10 lead into halftime before Jennings helped engineer a second-half comeback.

His touchdown pass to Knight narrowed the deficit to three points in the third quarter.

SMU then picked up two points on a fourth-quarter safety before Raphael scored on a 13-yard touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion gave the Mustangs a 27-20 lead with 9:04 remaining.

It appeared SMU had finally taken control.

But Syracuse refused to go away.

Tripp Woody connected on a 26-yard field goal to make it 27-23 before Angeli delivered the decisive touchdown drive.

The Mustangs’ defensive struggles were especially evident on fourth down. Syracuse converted all four of its fourth-down attempts despite going just 4-for-16 on third down.

Angeli finished with 200 passing yards and a touchdown while adding a 26-yard rushing score. Ahmad Miller led the Orange with 56 rushing yards and a touchdown.

The loss snapped SMU’s four-game winning streak and leaves Lashlee with significant concerns entering November.

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The Mustangs must improve their rushing attack, protect Jennings and find ways to finish defensive possessions if they hope to remain competitive in the ACC championship race.

SMU returns home Friday, November 6, to face Virginia Tech before hosting Wake Forest on November 14.

With two conference losses, the Mustangs have little room for another setback.

Saturday proved SMU has the offensive talent to win big games. But until the Mustangs learn how to finish them, their championship aspirations will remain in danger.