Kendrick Raphael's Revenge Game: The Back Who Broke SMU's Heart in Berkeley Now Gets Cal's 111th-Ranked Run Defense

By Brooke Calloway, RF Sports Radio SMU voice

Pony Up. All week we have talked about revenge for last November in Berkeley. Here is the twist: the guy who scored the touchdown that ended SMU's ACC title hopes now wears red and blue, and he might be the most important player on the field Saturday.

The facts

On Nov. 29, 2025, Kendrick Raphael ran in from 2 yards out with 43 seconds left to give Cal a 38-35 win over No. 25 SMU, per the AP recap on SMU Athletics' site. It was his 12th rushing touchdown of that season and it knocked the Mustangs out of the ACC Championship Game race. In January, Raphael transferred to SMU after a 2025 season with 943 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, per On3.

Raphael ran for 119 yards in last week's 23-13 win over Virginia, his second 100-yard game this season, per Roundtable's Timothy Hamm. With Dramekco Green out with a hand injury, he figures to carry an even bigger load. Cal allows 181.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks 111th nationally, and 387.6 total yards, 105th. Opponents convert 42.4% of third downs against the Bears.

SMU's defense has been the opposite. Opponents have converted 22 of 83 third downs against the Mustangs, 26.5%, fourth nationally, and SMU has 142 sacks since 2023, the most in FBS, per Roundtable. Cal's quarterback situation is still unsettled; Roundtable notes Jackson Brousseau has taken significant snaps after Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele's early struggles, and Tosh Lupoi has not named a starter. "We're finding ways to win games late, and we've got to keep doing that," Rhett Lashlee said. No. 23 SMU (5-1, 3-1 ACC) hosts Cal (3-4, 2-2) Saturday at 11 a.m. Central on The CW.

RF Sports Radio's take (opinion)

My take: build the game plan around Raphael and dare Cal to stop it. A defense ranked 111th against the run is not going to suddenly figure it out because its former running back is on the other sideline. If anything, Raphael knows exactly how those guys tackle.

Running the ball also solves SMU's biggest issue this season, which is closing games. A lead plus 35 carries is how you finally win by more than 10. It keeps Kevin Jennings out of long-yardage throws and lets the pass rush pin its ears back.

That third-down number is the hidden edge. If Cal is starting a quarterback who has not played much, third-and-7 against this front is a nightmare.

My call: SMU 34, Cal 17, same as Wednesday, with Raphael over 120 yards and a touchdown. That is a prediction, not a report.

What to watch next

Watch Raphael's carry count, Cal's first quarterback and SMU's third-down defense. Kickoff is Saturday at 11 a.m. Central on The CW. For Cal's injury report, read our Oct. 22 SMU column on Cal's injury report, and follow the SMU Football page.

Radio question: is Kendrick Raphael the player SMU should lean on hardest Saturday, or does this game still belong to Kevin Jennings?

Sources: SMU Athletics / AP — SMU fourth-quarter rally falls short at Cal, 38-35 (Nov. 29, 2025); On3 — Cal transfer RB Kendrick Raphael signs with SMU; Roundtable — SMU vs. Cal: five key matchups; The Dallas Morning News — A year after spoiling SMU's hopes, Kendrick Raphael aims to power it back.