Kendrick Raphael, Southern Methodist Football News: Draft Scout Player News

Draft Scout College Football Player News

11/30/25 - RB Kendrick Raphael, Jr/2027, Southern Methodist, (DS#25 RB)

Kendrick Raphael ran in from 2 yards out with 43 seconds left and California beat 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. SMU had a chance to tie the game with eight seconds left, but Sam Keltner's 52-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right.

The Bears were playing their first game under interim coach Nick Rolovich, who was appointed after Justin Wilcox was fired last Sunday. Sagapolutele completed 31 of his 40 pass attempts for 330 yards and threw four touchdowns, finishing with a 179.9 passer rating. Raphael rushed 33 times for 111 yards, while Jacob De Jesus had 12 catches for 97 yards for the Bears. The Golden Bears made it quite clear after falling behind 7-3 through one quarter that they weren't going to cooperate with SMU's plans to clinch a spot in the conference championship, as they scored 21 unanswered points to take a commanding 24-7 lead. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings was 24 of 36 for 250 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Chris Johnson Jr. led the Mustangs' rushing attack with 128 yards on 10 attempts, with one touchdown. 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. Instead, it was Cal's defense getting a pair of timely plays from freshman safety Aiden Manutai, who had his first interception after the Bears' first touchdown. Five plays later, quarterback Sagapolutele and De Jesus connected on a 7-yard scoring strike to extend Cal's lead. Then, during SMU's final drive, it was Manutai's pass breakup that prevented the Mustangs from improving their field position for Keltner's final attempt. - Cal/AP College Football

(DS#25 RB) Jr/2027