SMU's Rhett Lashlee Names Defensive Masterclass As Catalyst In 59-20 California Win

The SMU Mustangs overcame a sluggish first half to record a 59-20 win over California at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

The Mustangs were down 20-17 at halftime, before an explosion on offense saw SMU score 42 unanswered points en route to a decisive victory.

Offensively, Kevin Jennings and Co. put the foot down to the tune of 492 total yards, with Jennings finishing his day going 16 of 23 for 223 yards and 3 TDs.

Kendrick Raphael rushed for 104 yards and 2 TDs in his first game against his former team. Elsewhere, the Mustangs had eight offensive weapons with 20+ receiving yards as Jennings spread the ball all over the field.

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Also, there were no turnovers from the offense, which made the whole operation run far more smoothly. 

Oh, and the defense did more than its job, only allowing five third downs from 16 attempts from California, while managing three sacks and forcing six punts.

For head coach Rhett Lashlee, he had big praise for what the defense was able to do in the second half, which paved the way for the offense to put up 42 points.

"Obviously just an awesome all-around win, awesome second half," Lashlee said. "Really proud of how the guys came out and just really took it to them in the second half. It started with the defense. We asked the defense to set the tone. 

"I don't know if it was three, four, five straight drives and three and out, felt like a bunch and that really gave the offense short fields and kept us on the field on offense allowed us to wear them down.

"But I think 300 yards, had 50 yards in the second half and a 42-0 explosion. That's what we needed. We felt like it was close. It was coming at a good time for us. So really proud of them."

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It was looking a little shaky at halftime, but Lashlee's team took the bull by the horns and put together a near-perfect second half to run away with the game and put up 59 points, the most in a game this season.

Granted, there will still be plenty to work on after that first half, and Lashlee won't be letting the second-half dominance overshadow the things that need to be cleaned up.

At 6-1, the Mustangs are in a great spot, with Syracuse up next, so Lashlee's team will be ready to roll, fresh off the knowledge that the Mustangs, if needed, it appears, can flick a switch and put together a near-perfect half of football.