BERKELEY – Running back Kendrick Raphael scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 43 seconds remaining to lift the California football team to a stirring 38-35 victory over No. 21 SMU in its 2025 regular-season finale on Saturday night.

The Golden Bears outplayed the Mustangs for three quarters and led 31-14 early in the fourth period before the Mustangs stormed back to take a 35-31 lead with 2:22 to play. But true freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele engineered the most memorable drive of his young career, leading Cal 75 yards over seven plays and culminating in Raphael's game-clinching score.

SMU had a final possession and drove to the Cal 35-yard line but couldn't convert a 52-yard field goal attempt with three seconds remaining, setting off a celebration at California Memorial Stadium.

It was the Bears' first game since they parted ways with former head coach Justin Wilcox.

"That was one of the best locker room scenarios I've been in because of the emotion of this week and the emotion of the game," Cal interim head coach Nick Rolovich said. "It could have gone either way. I think it was really gratifying for them, not only because of the week we had but because it's been a hard season."

Cal finished the regular season at 7-5 (4-4 ACC), its most regular season wins since also going 7-5 in 2019.

Sagapolutele (31-for-40) threw for career highs of 330 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, while wide receiver Jacob De Jesus had 12 catches for 97 yards and a score. It marked the third straight game De Jesus reached double-digits in catches and he now has 99 for the season – one short of the school record of 100 set by Dameane Douglas in 1998. Sagapolutele also posted the 10th season of 3,000 or more passing yards by a Cal quarterback and now ranks sixth on the Bears' all-time list with 3,117 passing yards this season.

Two of Sagapolutele's touchdown passes were to Jaiven Plummer and Cole Boscia, who each recorded his first career touchdown catch. QuaRon Adams also notched his first scoring reception at Cal.

Raphael rushed for 111 yards on 33 carries – the first time a Cal running back recorded at least 30 rushes since 2023.

"One message from Coach Rolo this week was to play for each other," Cal defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina said. "We played this game for our seniors and for each other. When times are hard, you have your brothers to rely on."

The Bears will now await their bowl announcement, which is expected on Dec. 7.