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SMU's Rhett Lashlee Offers High Praise For 'All Business' Kendrick Raphael
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- SMU's Rhett Lashlee Offers High Praise For 'All Business' Kendrick Raphael
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
When talking about the SMU Mustangs ' offense this season, it is easy to get caught up in what quarterback Kevin Jennings is doing.
He's broken records, thrown for a bunch of yards and touchdowns, while leading the Mustangs to a 5-1 record.
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But he's had help, and it comes in the form of a decent run game led by Kendrick Raphael.
Transferring from California in the offseason, Raphael got off to a slow start in his debut, rushing for just three yards.
But since? He's shown he can be a monster in the run game.
Totals of 197, 98, and 124, along with 6 TDs, he is well on his way to having a career-best season under the guidance of Rhett Lashlee.
And speaking of Raphael, who is coming off a 124-yard game against Virginia, Lashlee had nothing but praise for his running back.
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"He's an experienced veteran," Lashlee said . "I think he came in, and I've said this before, some guys kind of act like a pro before they're a pro. He has that pro mentality. He's really smart, he's all business, gets along well with the culture and the guys here, he's just come in from day one and just been that steady guy.
He's great in pass protection. He can run the ball obviously downhill, he's physical. I thought he ran really well Saturday, he's just a good all-around back, and he's got the experience. He's just played so much ball, and he's used to this league. So I just think he's got a lot of confidence, which bleeds over the rest of our group. And I think that's why you're starting to see his production."
They say a quarterback's best friend is a dependable run game, and Raphael is certainly giving Jennings that right now.
Having at least 15 carries in each of his last four games, it appears Raphael is starting to get a bead on what defenses are trying to do, and he's averaging 5.5 yards per clip, a career-best for him.
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So Raphael is doing his part as the Mustangs have gotten off to a good start this season, and if they are to go deep into the playoffs, I wouldn't mind betting that he's going to have to have a big say.
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Yes, Kevin will still have to be "Kevin," but if he's got Raphael getting five yards a carry, Jennings won't have to be Superman, which means the ball isn't getting put in harm's way, and as we have seen over the last two weeks, that is a winning recipe.
He might only be just finding his feet as a Mustang, but Raphael is well and truly becoming the weapon the team thought he would be.
