Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ben Gulbranson (15) gets a pass away in the first half against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald R Ford Stadium in Dallas on Sat Oct 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Stanford couldn’t overcome the heroics of Southern Methodist’s Chris Johnson Jr. and Kevin Jennings on Saturday, as the Mustangs defeated the Cardinal 34-10 in Atlantic Coast Conference football in Dallas.

Johnson ran for an 87-yard touchdown and also scored on a 42-yard pass from SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings. Justin Medlock added a 96-yard interception for a TD in the Mustangs’ 19th consecutive conference football win.

SMU (4-2 overall, 2-0 ACC) is 10-0 since returning to a power conference last season.

Stanford (2-4 overall, 1-2 ACC) scored 35 seconds before halftime on a CJ Williams 14yard touchdown pass from Ben Gulbranson. It was Williams’ first touchdown as a Cardinal.

In the first quarter, Cardinal defensive back Aaron Morris was taken off the field by ambulance after he tackled Mustangs’ wide receiver Jordan Hudson. Morris, who was immobilized, cleared precautionary tests.

SMU opened the scoring five plays after Morris was injured. Jennings completed a short pass to Derrick McFall, who ran 19 yards for the game’s first touchdown.

Jennings completed 22 of 30 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns.

Gulbranson threw for 278 yards on 22 of 40 passing; he was sacked six times. The pick-6 he surrendered snapped a string of 122 games without an interception. Williams caught seven passes for 109 yards and Sam Roush caught eight passes for 89 yards. Cole Tabb was Stanford’s leading rusher with 62 yards on nine carries.

Jordan Hudson was SMU’s top receiver with five receptions for 87 yards. Johnson finished with 96 rushing yards on six carries.

Next week, the Cardinal host No. 25 Florida State for Reunion Homecoming at Stanford Stadium.