Cal Poly football is still searching for their first win of the season after falling to Southern Utah University 20-14 on the road Saturday night inside Eccles Coliseum.
The loss pushes the Mustangs’ losing streak to six games to start the season, the longest such streak for the team since 1965 ended their season with six straight losses.
Redshirt freshman Jake Jeffrey made his first career start Saturday because junior quarterback Khaleel Jenkins underwent season-ending knee surgery Thursday, according to the Tribune. Just last week, Jenkins posted over 200 yards rushing in the Mustangs loss to Idaho State.
The Mustangs put up some points early, taking a 7-3 lead in the first quarter after senior slotback Kyle Lewis broke off a 73-yard touchdown run.
They didn’t hold onto the lead for long, as the Thunderbirds drove 75 yards on their following possession. They capped it off with a 55-yard touchdown run by Thunderbirds’ running back Jay Green right down the middle of the field to put Southern Utah up 10-3.
Early in the second quarter, the Thunderbirds extended their lead to 17-3 after quarterback Patrick Tyler tossed a 26-yard touchdown to Terrance Beasley.
After the Thunderbirds added a fourth-quarter field-goal, Mustangs’ senior fullback Jared Mohamed, who posted a career-high 133 yards rushing, and company marched 75 yards downfield and finally found pay dirt in the fourth quarter.
With 4:46 left on the clock, freshman slotback Broc Mortensen punched in a five-yard touchdown run to put the game within reach for the Mustangs, 20-10. Cal Poly got the ball back with just under three minutes on the clock, but their drive stalled near midfield and eventually ended on a fourth-down fumble by Jeffrey.
Once again, ball control proved to be an issue for the Mustangs as they lost three fumbles Saturday night. Cal Poly currently ranks 123rd, dead last, in the FCS in fumbles lost this season with 11.
Things continue to look bad for Cal Poly football this season, especially with the loss of Jenkins going forward. The Mustangs offense already looked lethargic since the loss of star fullback Joe Protheroe in the second game of the season.
The Mustangs will have a bye week before continuing their search for their first win at home Saturday, Oct. 21 against Weber State (4-1).