No. 23 SMU Rout Cal 59-20 Behind Kendrick Raphael

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 25, 2026

Kendrick Raphael led No. 23 SMU to a 59-20 win over California with 104 rushing yards, three total touchdowns, and a key touchdown reception. The victory boosted SMU’s ACC record to 4-1 as they dominated the second half, while California dropped to 3-5 and struggles to regain momentum.

Kendrick Raphael played a pivotal role in No. 23 SMU’s decisive 59-20 victory over California on Saturday in Dallas, rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns against his former team. Raphael, who last season rushed for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns with Cal, also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Kevin Jennings, who finished the game completing 16 of 23 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns.

SMU (6-1, 4-1 ACC) trailed by three points at halftime but dominated the second half, outscoring California 42-0. Christian Rhodes contributed two short touchdown runs for the Mustangs, adding to the team’s commanding performance in the second half.

For California (3-5, 2-3), quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele passed for 265 yards, completing 27 of 36 attempts, including a touchdown. The Golden Bears opened the scoring with a 65-yard, seven-play drive that culminated in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Sagapolutele to Chase Hendricks. However, they were unable to maintain momentum against the surging Mustangs defense and offense.

The victory improved SMU’s standing in the ACC as the team looks to build on a strong season, while California faces challenges after suffering their fifth loss.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.