Field leads the way for Cal Poly offense

If you thought your life was hectic, try living Stephen Field’s.

The agricultural business senior, who is nearing the end of his time at Cal Poly, was recently married and coaches throwing for the track and field team at Arroyo Grande High, his alma mater.

It already sounds like a busy life.

But his commitment as an offensive lineman for the Cal Poly football team takes up the majority of his time.

“I have expectations for myself,” Field said. “I want to be the best player I can be. I want to be the best leader I can be for this team to help us get to our goal.”

The goal according to Field is simple – a national championship.

With a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) playoff spot virtually locked up heading into the final week of the regular season against Wisconsin (6-5), the third-ranked Mustangs (8-1) are on the right track.

A key member of an offensive line that has helped lead the Mustangs to the No. 1 offense in the FCS in both yards (493.7) and points (46.4) per game, Field has played multiple positions this season.

After three All-Great West Conference First Team seasons at center, Field was moved to left guard with the emergence of sophomore Jason Cox. When Cox was injured three games ago, Field was moved back to center.

“Ever since I got here, I only played center,” Field said. “At times, it’s been a little more fun getting to do some different stuff (at guard) than I would at center. You get to be a little more physical.”

Whether at guard or center, Field has helped Cal Poly average 303.6 rushing yards per game, third in the FCS.

“Offensive linemen in general, they love the idea of running the football and dominating the running game,” Field said. “I’m no different; I love being a part of that. I do very much take pride in our running game.”

One of the many beneficiaries of the offensive line’s performance has been senior running back James Noble.

With his 33rd career rushing touchdown against North Carolina Central on Nov. 8, Noble broke the school’s mark formerly held by Louis Jackson.

“Basically, everything I do is from the offensive line,” Noble said. “It all has to start somewhere, and it starts up front with Stephen and those guys.”

The Cal Poly passing attack has also benefited, as the line has allowed just .89 sacks per game – 10th in the subdivision.

With ample time to throw, senior quarterback Jonathan Dally has become the highest-rated passer in the FCS.

Dally has thrown a touchdown pass to senior receiver Ramses Barden in 18 consecutive games, breaking the FCS record held by former Mississippi Valley State star Jerry Rice, who, ironically, was one Field’s favorite players growing up.

“I was a 49ers fan, so obviously Jerry Rice (was my favorite player),” Field said. “He wasn’t the fastest guy and he wasn’t the biggest guy. I remember seeing a documentary on him when I was young about how hard he worked. I think that was real important to me.”

Field admitted he isn’t the biggest or strongest player himself, but working hard like Rice has driven him. He hopes that his hard work will allow him to play at the next level.

“I realize that I’m not prototypical of what (the NFL) is looking for,” said the 6-foot-1, 290-pound Field. “If I would somehow make a team, I would probably be the smallest lineman in the whole NFL. But I still am striving for it. I’m going to work my butt off after this season, do what I can and leave it in God’s hands.”

After last season, Field was named a second-team All-American by The Sports Network and a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.

Prior to this year, he was selected as a preseason first-team All-American by both The Sporting News and Phil Steele’s Magazine.

“It’s just speculation,” Field said of the honors. “If I’m named to something at the end of the year, then that will mean something. But I’ve got to go out there and prove it.”

Offensive line coach Bill Tripp has seen some talented linemen in his time at Cal Poly, including Dan Loney, who has started at center for the Arena Football League’s San Jose SaberCats.

Tripp sees similarities between the two.

“Size-wise and strength-wise, they’re both comparable,” Tripp said. “They’re both competitive, and they’re both great players at this level.”

Tripp admitted that playing at the NFL level would be difficult for Field, as it was for Loney, despite the high level of their play.

“He’s going to have the same problem that Danny had,” Tripp said. “(The NFL) are all looking for big guys. Stephen and Danny are both at 6-foot-1 if you stretch them a little bit. That’s just the nature of the beast with the NFL.”

Field’s leadership is a key attribute to the team’s success, Tripp said.

“He’s like having another coach on the field,” Tripp said. “He recognizes the defenses and it helps the younger players. He sorts out all the problems out there. It’s just an added dimension to his ability.”

Noble agreed that when he gets in the huddle, he knows exactly what to expect from the offense’s captain.

“He’s got that senior leadership,” Noble said. “You know he’s going to come out hard on every play and he’s not going to let you down.”

While the 22-year-old Field keeps himself busy on the field, his wife keeps him busy off it.

“I was looking at it coming into the season, hoping that the football season doesn’t affect our marriage, or marriage doesn’t affect football,” Field said. “If anything, it’s kept me more focused – more grounded. My wife makes sure I’m doing my academics when I get home and doing my homework.”

When not doing homework or playing football, Field, like most offensive linemen, likes to eat. The linemen go out to dinner once a week as a unit in order to bond.

“We’ll randomly show up at some poor restaurant and put them out of business for the night,” Field joked. “If we go to a buffet or something, they’re done for the day.”

While he might have a big appetite compared to most Cal Poly students, his passion for football is just as large.

“I always want to be a part of this sport,” Field said. “It offers so much, and I’ve gotten so much from it in my life.”

Editor’s note: For a preview of the Cal Poly football team’s Saturday game at Wisconsin, please see Friday’s Mustang Daily.