No. 25 SMU squanders chance at clinching berth in ACC title game as Cal scores 38-35 upset

BERKELEY, Calif. — Kendrick Raphael ran in from 2 yards out with 43 seconds left and California upset No. 25 SMU, 38-35, on Saturday night to spoil its hopes of making the Atlantic Coast Conference championship for a second straight year.

The Mustangs (8-4, 6-2 ACC) had clawed their way back into the game and took the lead when T.J. Harden scored from a yard out with 2:22 remaining.

Cal (7-5, 4-4) responded immediately, though, as quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele marched the Bears 75 yards in seven plays, capped by Raphael’s 12th rushing touchdown of the season.

The Bears were playing their first game under interim coach Nick Rolovich, who was appointed after Justin Wilcox was fired last Sunday.

The Golden Bears made it quite clear after falling behind 7-3 through one quarter, they weren’t going to cooperate with SMU’s plans to clinch a spot in the conference championship, as they scored 21 unanswered points.

SMU came into the game allowing 19 points and 385 yards per game. Cal’s 38 points were the second-most the Mustangs allowed this season, while the Bears’ 452 yards were third most by an SMU opponent.

The Takeaway

Cal: Playing in his 26th-career game, Jaiven Plummer’s second-quarter touchdown catch was just the second reception of his career.

SMU: The Mustangs arrived in Berkeley with a 2-0 all-time record against Cal.

Up next

Both Cal and SMU await invitations to postseason bowl games.