SMU defeats Cal after second-half collapse

What happened

Cal’s bid to upset No. 23 SMU ended after the game unraveled in the second half. SMU, the ranked team in the matchup, took control after halftime and secured the result.

Why it mattered

The game presented Cal with an opportunity to defeat a ranked opponent. That opportunity disappeared during a difficult second half, leaving Cal without the upset it was seeking.

The result puts the focus on the contrast between the two halves: Cal remained in position to pursue an upset before halftime, then could not maintain that position after the break. The second-half slide was the defining development in the game.

The takeaway

SMU left with a win over Cal, while Cal’s upset attempt ended in the second half. The game’s outcome was decided by SMU’s control after halftime, not by a completed upset for Cal.