This time last year, Cal Poly was ranked third in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) heading into the Golden Horseshoe Classic against conference foe UC Davis.
In arguably one of the most successful seasons in Cal Poly history, the Mustangs held a 7-1 record, playoff implications and an NFL prospect in wide receiver Ramses Barden.
At that point, the Mustangs were heralded as one of the most dominant teams in the FCS.
Today, Cal Poly has a (4-4, 1-1 Great West) record and is a long shot to make the postseason.
What difference a year makes.
In a span of close to 365 days, Cal Poly has gone from three extra points away from being etched in college football stardom next to Appalachian State, to an unranked squad heading in the wrong direction.
Cal Poly will face UC Davis (4-4, 1-1) Saturday in Aggie Stadium.
After starting the year with a rough schedule, the Mustangs battled their way to a highest ranking of 16, despite a 1-2 start. Following a loss last week to the unranked Fighting Sioux, Cal Poly has lost national attention and a top-25 ranking.
North Dakota ended Cal Poly’s longest win streak this season — two wins.
Cal Poly struggled offensively last week in its second conference game of the season. With one of the most dominant rushing attacks in the FCS, the Mustangs hit a speedbump againt the Fighting Sioux, a 62-yard showing — more than 100 yards lower than their season average heading into the contest.
Wide out Dominique Johnson caught 12 passes for 131 yards, the highest receiver production since Ramses Barden last year.
The Mustangs have enjoyed success on the gridiron in recent years. Cal Poly boasts six consecutive winning seasons and three Great West Conference titles in the last five years, including NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoff berths in both 2005 and 2008.
Cal Poly has won 68 percent of their games dating back to the 2002 season. In each of the last six seasons, the Mustangs have won seven or more games — the longest streak in school history.
With three games left this season, that streak is in jeopardy.
UC Davis, which went 5-7 last season, and has gone 128-65-1 in seven seasons under coach Bob Biggs.
The Aggies returned 51 lettermen, including 12 starters, from its second straight losing campaign after posting 37 consecutive winning seasons.
The Aggies lost three of their first four games against the likes of Fresno State, Montana and Boise State, then won three straight against South Dakota, Winston-Salem State and Portland State before having the streak snapped at Southern Utah last week, 56-35, surrendering 42 first-half points.
Quarterback Greg Denham has completed 198 of 330 passes (60 percent) for 2,063 yards and 13 TDs.
Chris Carter is his most productive target, boasting 64 receptions for 683 yards while Bakari Grant has 34 catches and Sean Creadick has 32. Joe Trombetta has rushed for 305 yards and four scores while Josh Reese has 252 rushing yards. The Aggies average just 89.4 yards on the ground but 268.9 through the air.
Cal Poly and UC Davis are just two of four teams that hold 4-4 overall records in the Great West. But, Poly and Davis sit at the bottom of the conference. Southern Utah and North Dakota are tied atop the conference with 2-1 Great West Conference reconds.
After 34 meetings between the Mustangs and Aggies, starting in 1939, the series is all tied at 16-16-2. Cal Poly has won the last three games, including 63-28 in 2007 at Davis and 51-28 last year in San Luis Obispo. Against the Aggies, the Mustangs are 10-7 at home and 6-9-2 in Davis.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Aggie Stadium.