SMU running back Kendrick Raphael is starting to heat up as a genuine weapon for Rhett Lashlee's offense.
Transferring from California in the offseason, this week, the Mustangs will host the Golden Bears at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in what is looming as a revenge game for both he and SMU.
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The Mustangs lost 38-35 in the final regular season game to California, with Raphael rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries.
So it is no wonder SMU sounded him out this offseason, and now, they're reaping the rewards as he is starting to run the ball with devastating impact.
Yards totals of 197, 98, 45, and 119 have Raphael in peak form ahead of a game that will pit him against his former team.
And make no mistake about it, Jennings is glad to have Kendrick on his team this time.
"Just super grateful," Jennings said on having Raphael on his team. "Remember how he did us the last game of the year and he pretty much came in and as soon as he got here, he pretty much gave us crap about it the whole time. Just kept reminding us about it. So I'm pretty grateful to have him on our team and not [on] opposing team again."
With the Mustangs sitting at 5-1, they are positioning themselves well for a genuine playoff push, and while Jennings will likely need to do the heavy lifting, he won't have to do it all himself.
Raphael, in this form, will be a great foil for him, as defenses that go up against the Mustangs now have to worry about Jennings as a passer and runner, but also the run game as well.
Raphael was only in California for one season, but it is clear that Jennings knows how much this game will mean to him and the Mustangs as well after the loss sustained last season.
READ MORE: SMU Ready To Get California 'Revenge' Says Kevin Jennings
So, there will be no shortage of motivation for this SMU team that appears to be finding its feet in the season, and look for this to be another Mustangs win if they follow the turnover-free plan.
And if Raphael uses his return against the Golden Bears to torch them on the ground, just as he did to SMU last year.
