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

BERKELEY, Calif. -- , 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. “We really wanted to go back and compete for a championship again, but we’re not going to,” coach Rhett Lashlee said.