Kevin Jennings

The SMU Mustangs have had a smashing debut in the Atlantic Coast Conference and quarterback Kevin Jennings has been instrumental in the quick start.

After winning their first ACC home game against Florida State, the Ponies traveled to Louisville, Kentucky and scored a win over the Cardinals in their inaugural conference road game.

For his efforts in the victory over Louisville, Jennings was named the Week 6 winner of The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week, Cindy Smoak, executive director of SPORTyler, announced on Tuesday.

With the game tied going into the fourth quarter Jennings led SMU to a 34-27 win over No. 22 Louisville. Jennings was 21 of 27 passing for 281 yards. The sophomore quarterback also carried the ball 10 times for 113 yards and a touchdown.

SMU has a bye this week before hitting the road again to face Stanford on Saturday, Oct. 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ACC Network) in Stanford, California.

Jennings is a graduate of Dallas South Oak Cliff High School.

Previous winners were: Week 1 — Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty; Week 2 — Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers; Week 3 — Texas quarterback Arch Manning; Week 4 — Miami quarterback Cam Ward; and Week 5 — Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically, tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.

In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: Played football at and graduated from a Texas High School and/or currently playing at Texas Division I four-year college.

There will be 16 semifinalists announced in November and then up to five finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and previous winners.

The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for Jan. 22, 2025.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award was announced in 2012 by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler.

“We are fortunate to have a celebrity who exhibits the impeccable virtues that define this award,” Smoak said. “In addition to being a well-known sports figure, Earl also earned a college degree, married his high school sweetheart, raised two successful sons and still supports the community where he grew up.”

Campbell graduated from John Tyler High School in Tyler before joining the Texas Longhorns under legendary Coach Darrell K Royal. In his senior year for Texas, he led the nation with 1,744 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns, going on to win the Longhorns’ first Heisman Trophy.

He was subsequently drafted by the Houston Oilers where he won Rookie of the Year honors in 1978 and went on to lead the NFL in rushing three times. Campbell earned NFL MVP in 1979 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991. He now resides in Austin.

“All my life, all I wanted to do was be an athlete,” Campbell said. “I kept God in my life and surrounded myself with good people. I am humbled by this award named in my honor.”

For more information about The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award go to earlcampbellaward.com.

Honorable Mention Week 6

Sedrick Alexander, sophomore running back, Vanderbilt

Hometown: Austin; High School: LBJ; Rushing: 21 carries, 64 yards, 2 TDs; Receiving: 2 catches, 24 yards. Vanderbilt defeated No. 1 Alabama, 40-35, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Andrew Armstrong, senior wide receiver, Arkansas

Hometown: Dallas; High School: Bishop Dunne; Receiving: 9 catches, 132 yards. Arkansas defeated No. 4 Tennessee, 19-14, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Braylon Braxton, junior quarterback, Marshall

Hometown: Frisco; High School: Independence; Passing: 8 of 14 for 129 yards 3 TDs; Rushing: 15 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDs. Marshall defeated Appalachian State, 52-37, in Huntington, West Virginia.

Tahj Brooks, senior running back, Texas Tech

Hometown: Manor; High School: Manor; Rushing: 21 carries, 128 yards, 3 TDs. Texas Tech defeated Arizona, 28-22, in Tucson, Arizona.

Bryson Daily, senior quarterback, Army

Hometown: Abernathy; High School: Abernathy; Passing: 5 of 5 for 140 yards, 2 TDs. Rushing: 13 carries, 110 yards, 2 TDs. Army defeated Tulsa, 49-7, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Jaylon Jackson, senior running back, Iowa State

Hometown: Burleson; High School: Burleson Centennial; Rushing: 15 carries, 107 yards, 2 TDs. Iowa State defeated Baylor, 43-21, in Ames, Iowa.

Ashton Jeanty, junior running back, Boise State

Hometown: Frisco; High School: Lone Star; Rushing: 13 carries, 186 yards, 3 TDs. Boise State defeated Utah State, 62-30, in Boise, Idaho.

DJ McKinney, freshman running back, Sam Houston State

Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma; High School: Union; Rushing: 14 carries, 138 yards, 2 TDs; Receiving: 3 catches, 28 yards. Sam Houston State defeated UTEP, 41-21, in El Paso.

Le’Veon Moss, junior running back, Texas A&M

Hometown: Walker, Louisiana; High School: Istrouma College Prep; Rushing: 12 carries, 138 yards, 3 TDs; Receiving: 2 catches, 35 yards. Texas A&M defeated No. 10 Missouri, 41-10, in College Station.

Jaden Nixon, junior running back, Western Michigan

Hometown: Las Colinas; High School: Frisco Lone Star; Rushing: 14 carries, 124 yards, 3 TDs; Receiving: 1 catch, 6 yards. Western Michigan defeated Ball State, 45-42, in Muncie, Indiana.

Eli Stowers, graduate student tight end, Vanderbilt

Hometown: Denton; High School: Denton Guyer; Receiving: 6 catches, 113 yards. Vanderbilt defeated No. 1 Alabama, 40-35, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jordyn Tyson, sophomore wide receiver, Arizona State

Hometown: Allen; High School: Allen; Receiving: 6 catches, 76 yards , 2 TDs. Arizona State defeated Kansas, 35-31, in Tempe, Arizona.

Cam Ward, senior quarterback, Miami

Hometown: West Columbia; High School: Columbia; Passing: 35 of 53 for 437 yards, 2 TDs, INT. Rushing: 6 carries, 15 yards, 1 TD. Miami defeated California, 39-38, in Berkeley, California.