Initially, Penn State football and SMU appeared to be in the beginning stages of a closely contested battle for a trip to the Fiesta Bowl. The Nittany Lions opened with a three-and-out, and despite marching downfield, the Mustangs failed to score a touchdown on 4th-and-1 from the 19-yard line.

After coming up empty-handed on the ensuing drive, Penn State’s defense met SMU’s offense for the second time. On the drive’s second play, Mustang quarterback Kevin Jennings threw an interception to Dom DeLuca, who returned it 20 yards to open the scoring with a pick-six.

DOMINIC DELUCA pic.twitter.com/QC8tWgXGub

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From then on, the Mustangs looked rattled. Jennings didn’t attempt a pass on the next drive. Instead, Brashard Smith had three carries which failed to yield a first down.

However, they appeared to recover with a lengthy drive to Penn State’s 47-yard line. But Jennings was picked off again, this time by Tony Rojas, who bulldozed his way to the house to make it a 14-0 lead for the Nittany Lions.

It didn’t end there for Jennings, though. The sophomore threw another interception to DeLuca in the second quarter for a 14-yard return. Although that play didn’t result in a touchdown, his questionable decision-making played right into Penn State’s hands.

“The number one thing is that you can’t be reckless with the ball. That obviously put us in a hole,” SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods said postgame.

SMU initially felt good about its chances until it didn’t capitalize. When it didn’t do so, Penn State’s aggressive defensive play against Jennings swung momentum like a pendulum in the Nittany Lions’ favor.

“We had a really good chance to go up 7-0 early, and that would’ve been big for the momentum. We didn’t. The defense got another stop, and then that’s when we started to hurt ourselves and beat ourselves with the pick-six — the ball just sailed on across the middle,” SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said. “And then, still 7-0 going the second quarter, we had the ball, I believe, and then just again, the second quarter got away from us with another pick-six, another pick in the red zone after we got a stop on 4th-and-1. You just can’t do that stuff.”

Although Jennings made mistakes, DeLuca earned plenty of praise from those around him.

“He’s a baller,” James Franklin said. “He’s a tremendous example for all of our players on the team. He’s got a smile on his face. He’s appreciative. He works his tail off.”

“He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached,” defensive coordinator Tom Allen said. “He spends so much time studying, preparing. He anticipates really, really well. Obviously the huge, huge takeaway, two picks, and one for a touchdown that was just so monumental today.”

Despite having a career game, DeLuca said he’s just happy to secure the win and advance to the quarterfinal against Boise State on New Year’s Eve.

“I’m just trying to celebrate and go 1-0 with my brothers each week,” he said. “Being able to come out with a win for the first round of playoffs is huge.”