SMU’s 20-game streak ends, pre-ACC FSU game set

**SMU Rides Momentum of Historic Streak and AAC Title into ACC Era**

DALLAS, TX – Even before officially joining the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on July 1, 2024, SMU’s football program has a significant chapter already penned, marked by a historic winning streak and a conference championship that underscore its upward trajectory. The Mustangs, fresh off a dominant run in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), are poised to make their mark on a new national stage.

SMU’s remarkable 20-game winning streak within the AAC, a testament to the program’s resurgence under Head Coach Rhett Lashlee, saw them accumulate an 8-0 record in conference play during the 2023 season. This impressive run, which spanned parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, finally concluded on November 11, 2023, when they fell 29-19 to Tulane at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans. Despite the loss, the Mustangs finished the 2023 season with an impressive 11-3 overall record, capturing the American Athletic Conference Championship and subsequently defeating Boston College in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl.

The impending transition to the ACC marks a pivotal moment for SMU, signaling a return to “Power Four” conference affiliation after decades. The university’s move is a strategic long-term play, even with the initial financial concessions of foregoing media rights revenue for the first several years, highlighting the institution’s commitment to elevate its athletic and academic profile on a national level. This move is particularly poignant for a program that famously received the NCAA “Death Penalty” in the 1980s, making its current ascent a story of remarkable resilience and ambition.

Athletic Director Rick Hart has often spoken about the “transformational” nature of the ACC invitation, emphasizing the enhanced visibility and competitive opportunities it presents. “This move isn’t just about football; it’s about the entire university,” Hart stated previously, “It solidifies our position and provides an incredible platform for our student-athletes across all sports.”

Looking ahead, the Mustangs face an immediate challenge in their new league. SMU’s very first ACC game is scheduled for August 31, 2024, a formidable road test against the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee. This early matchup will serve as an immediate barometer for the Mustangs’ readiness for ACC competition. Later in the season, fans will eagerly anticipate the much-talked-about first ACC meeting with No. 10 Miami, set to take place on October 26, 2024, at home in Dallas.

Coach Lashlee and his team have consistently expressed enthusiasm for the move, viewing it as an earned opportunity. “Our guys have worked incredibly hard to build this program, and the success we had in the AAC, culminating in a championship, showed what we’re capable of,” Lashlee commented after the 2023 season. “We’re excited for the challenge and the platform the ACC provides.”

The Mustangs’ recent success, coupled with the prestige and national exposure of the ACC, has ignited a new era of optimism on the Hilltop. As July 1 approaches, the Dallas-based institution is not just joining a new conference; it’s stepping into a new chapter, carrying the momentum of a winning culture forged in their final AAC seasons into the highly competitive landscape of the Atlantic Coast Conference.