In a thrilling clash on November 29, 2025, the Cal Golden Bears achieved a stunning 38-35 victory over the No. 21 ranked SMU Mustangs, thanks to a remarkable performance from freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. This emotional win at Memorial Stadium marked a significant moment for the Bears following a tumultuous week, which included the firing of long-time coach Justin Wilcox.
With an attendance of 28,956 fans, the atmosphere was charged as Cal sought to rebound from a disappointing loss to Stanford in the Big Game earlier in the week. Sagapolutele rose to the occasion, throwing for a career-high 330 yards and four touchdowns, culminating in a flawless 75-yard drive that secured the victory in the final moments of the game.
Turning Point in the Final Minutes
After relinquishing a 31-14 lead in the fourth quarter, the Bears found themselves trailing 35-31 with just 2:22 remaining. Sagapolutele demonstrated composure under pressure, completing all five of his passes for 61 yards on the decisive drive. The highlight came when running back Kendrick Raphael scored the go-ahead touchdown on a powerful run with only 43 seconds left on the clock.
“What a football game,” Cal interim coach Nick Rolovich said, reflecting on the team’s resilience. “We talked about being ready for a dogfight, expecting to win.”
The excitement did not end there, as SMU quickly advanced to the Cal 35-yard line, but their hopes were dashed when freshman kicker Sam Keltner’s 52-yard attempt sailed wide right as time expired.
A Team United in Adversity
The Bears’ victory was particularly poignant given the recent upheaval in the program. Senior defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina shared his thoughts on the week’s challenges, stating, “After last week, it was hard. We had a lot of stuff happen surrounding the Cal program. We had one message from Coach Rolo: Play for each other.”
Senior wide receiver Jacob De Jesus echoed this sentiment, noting the team’s motivation to perform for their departed coach. “We all felt down this week because of the situation. Let’s go do this for him but not only him, let’s do it for each other,” he said.
De Jesus had a standout performance, catching 12 passes for 97 yards and contributing significantly to the Bears’ offensive effort. His seven-yard touchdown reception helped give Cal a 17-7 lead at halftime, and he now ranks second on Cal’s single-season list with 99 catches.
Sagapolutele’s emerging talent was evident throughout the game, particularly as he connected with under-utilized receivers for three of his touchdowns. Notable plays included a 35-yard touchdown to Jaiven Plummer, a spectacular leaping 15-yard catch by Cole Boscia, and a 32-yard strike to QuaRon Adams for his first career touchdown.
With this victory, the Bears improved their record to 7-5 and secured their first winning season since 2019. They also achieved a non-losing conference record for the first time since 2009 and thwarted SMU’s chances of making a second consecutive trip to the ACC championship game. Cal will learn its bowl game assignment on December 3, 2025.
As the Bears look to the future, the resilience displayed against SMU serves as a hopeful sign for the team and its fans alike. The emotional victory not only provided closure for a tumultuous week but also set the stage for a promising next chapter in Cal football.
