During a crucial moment in the game, SMU made a bold decision to go for it on fourth-and-1, opting to keep their offense on the field after a timeout. The tension was palpable as quarterback Kevin Jennings took the snap and executed a naked bootleg to the right side of the field.
Initially, it seemed like Jennings had enough room to run and secure the necessary yardage for the first down. However, in a surprising turn of events, he opted to pass the ball instead. His target, tight end Matthew Hibner, was open in the end zone, presenting a promising opportunity for a touchdown.
As the ball sailed towards Hibner, the crowd held its breath in anticipation. Unfortunately for SMU, Hibner was unable to make the catch, and the ball fell incomplete. The missed opportunity was met with a deafening roar from the Beaver Stadium crowd, signaling a turnover and a change of possession in favor of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
The turn of events left SMU fans disappointed, while Penn State supporters erupted in cheers at the defensive stand made by their team. The decision to attempt a pass on fourth down will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion in post-game analysis, as it ultimately resulted in a turnover and a missed scoring opportunity for SMU.
