SMU
Cal
Oct 20 | Football
Saturday, October 24, 2026 – 11:00 a.m. CT
[23/20] SMU (5-1, 3-1 ACC) vs. California (3-4, 2-2 ACC)
Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas
TV:Â The CW
Radio: KTCK 96.7 FM/1310 AM & SiriusXMÂ
Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)
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SMU Notes | Cal Notes | ACC NotesÂ
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SETTING THE SCENE
• The 23rd-ranked Mustangs are set to take on California on Saturday in another nationally televised game at Ford Stadium.
• SMU comes into the game ranked 23rd in the AP Top 25 Poll and 20th in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
• The Mustangs got the victory against Virginia this past weekend, 23-13.
• Kendrick Raphael led the way for SMU, finishing with 119 yards on the ground, his second game this year with at least 100.
• Kevin Jennings continued to close in on another program record, finishing with two passing touchdowns to bring him within one of tying the record for most passing touchdowns in a career at 72.
QUICK HITS
• SMU has posted a 30-6 record against conference opponents since 2022, highlighted by the 20-game winning streak that lasted from 2022-25.
• The Mustangs have gone 17-3 in ACC play since joining the conference in 2024, the most wins by an ACC team during that span.
• SMU has recorded 142 sacks since 2023, that is the most in all FBS during that span.
• The SMU defense has held opponents to 22-83 (.265) on third down this season, fourth best in the country.
• Since 2024, the Mustangs have forced 56 turnovers, which ranks 14th in the in country during that span and the second-most in the ACC.
• Jennings has posted a record of 24-8 as the starter for the Mustangs.
• Jennings is the ACC active leader in career passing yards (9,548) and career total yards (10,202).
• Jennings is one of eight FBS active quarterbacks with at least 10,000 yards of total offense.
• The Mustangs are 34-9 in their last 43 games, and 32-6 in their last 38 regular-season contests.
• SMU has posted a record of 34-5 during Lashlee's five seasons in charge when they score 30-or-more points in a game.
• The Mustangs have had at least seven receivers catch a pass in 46 of the past 50 games.
• SMU recorded 27 offensive scoring drives since 2025 that resulted in touchdowns in under two minutes.
• Rhett Lashlee boasts a 30-6 conference record in his career, best in program history.
THE SERIES
• This is the fourth meeting in the series.
• SMU holds a 2-1 lead in the series.
• Cal won the last meeting this past season, 38-35, at their place.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN BEARS
• Cal is coming off a 41-7 loss to Wake Forest on Oct. 17.
MUSTANGS STAY RANKED
• SMU has featured inside the top-25 in the AP Poll every week since the preseason poll dropped in August. It's the longest such streak since the 1985 season.
3RD AND GOOD LUCK
• The SMU defense has held opponents to 22-83 (.265) on third down this season.
• The mark leads the ACC and puts the Mustangs at No. 4 in the country.
LUCKY NUMBER 30
• SMU has posted a record of 34-5 (.872) during Lashlee's five seasons in charge when they score 30 or more points in a game.
 PASS ME THE ROCK
• Lashlee's offense is second in the ACC and ranks fifth in the country this season at 325.2 passing yards per game.
JOIN THE SACK CLUB
• The Mustangs have caused problems to other teams with their pass rush over the last three years.
• SMU has recorded 142 sacks since 2023, that is the most in all FBS during that span.
MOST SACKS IN FBS SINCE 2023
1. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SMUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 142Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
2.           JMU                    140
3.           Miami                 139
4            Texas                  138
5.           Tennessee          137
I WANNA GO FAST
• The Mustangs proved last year that they could score quickly when they have the ball on offense.
• SMU recorded 27 offensive scoring drives since 2025 that resulted in touchdowns in under two minutes.
• The Mustangs have put together 13 scoring drives of less than two minutes this season, including five against UC Davis and at least one in each contest.
