Brashard Smith and ninth-ranked SMU never felt they were finished, even when already locked into the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in their league debut. “It was really important, just being undefeated in the conference,

After jumping out to a 21-0 lead, the Mustangs did not return to the red zone. Their second-half points came on a 48-yard field goal by Collin Rogers, a 23-yard Smith receiving touchdown after McGill’s interception and Stone’s pass to Smith.

Cal has 20 players from Texas on its roster seeking to upset SMU, which has clinched a spot in the ACC Championship Game.