Kevin Jennings breaks SMU's TD passing record as No. 23 Mustangs beat Cal 59-20

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Kevin Jennings breaks SMU's TD passing record as No. 23 Mustangs beat Cal 59-20

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) throws a pass as California linebacker JD McKinley (95) pressures during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
(AP Photo/LM Otero)

SMU running back Kendrick Raphael (6) runs against California defensive back Cam Sidney (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
(AP Photo/LM Otero)

California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) throws a pass as SMU defensive end Marques White (16) chases during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
(AP Photo/LM Otero)

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee yells from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
(AP Photo/LM Otero)

SMU wide receiver Jalen Hale (2) catches a touchdown pass ahead of California defensive back Isaiah Crosby (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
(AP Photo/LM Otero)

STEPHEN HAWKINS · Associated Press

Sat, Oct 24, 2026 ·

3 min read

Sagapolutele starting again for Bears

Cal's left-handed quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele started for the first time in three games since a concussion late in the first half Oct. 3 at UNLV.

He completed 27 of 37 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown. He threw for 330 yards and four TDs in last year's win over SMU.

Sagapolutele missed the win over Virginia Tech two weeks ago, and Jackson Brousseau started again last week, though Sagapolutele threw a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 41-7 home loss to Wake Forest .

Finally some separation for the Mustangs

After so many close games, the Mustangs in the second half had the kind of offensive outburst that they have been waiting for — 42 points and 306 of their 492 total yards after halftime.

"That's what we needed," Lashlee said. "We felt like it was close, it was coming. It came at a good time for us."

SMU had scored a combined 48 points in its previous two games since pulling out a 34-24 win over second-year Bowl Subdivision team Missouri State.

Up next

California is at N.C. State for the second of three consecutive road games next Saturday.

SMU plays its only road game in a seven-week stretch at Syracuse. The Mustangs also had five home games and an open date in that span.

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Kevin Jennings breaks SMU's TD passing record as No. 23 Mustangs beat Cal 59-20

California SMU Football

California SMU Football

California SMU Football

California SMU Football

California SMU Football

California SMU Football

Sagapolutele starting again for Bears

Finally some separation for the Mustangs

The takeaway

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