Get ready for another track meet. After a game in which the teams combined for 110 points a year ago, Cal Poly is set to host Southern Utah (2-3) in their Great West Conference opener on Saturday in Alex. G. Spanos Stadium.
Cal Poly, which defeated the Thunderbirds 69-41 last season, has battled through perhaps the most grueling four-game stretch in school history. In a gauntlet that included two teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision and two top-20 Football Championship Subdivision teams, the Mustangs have mustered a 2-3 record in their worst regular season start since 2002.
Despite the slight speed bump the Mustangs have faced to open the season, head coach Tim Walsh welcomes the challenge.
“That non-conference schedule has given us a great opportunity to know that we can compete in our conference and that’s where it all begins this week,” Walsh said.
The No. 19 Mustangs, who haven’t lost a regular-season home game since falling at home to eventual national championship runner-up Montana last Sept. 6, have won seven in a row at home excluding a playoff loss to Weber State.
The Thunderbirds opened the year strong with a lopsided win against Dixie State in their season opener, 36-7. The following three weeks, including two FBS teams, led Southern Utah to fall to 1-3, but the next week at home, the Thunderbirds were able to complete a huge win against then-No. 19 Texas State on Oct. 3.
The Mustangs and Thunderbirds will meet for the 23rd time this weekend, with Cal Poly owning the series advantage, 16-6. Last year the two teams combined for 1,138 yards of total offense.
Cal Poly’s offense, which hasn’t been shutout since 1998, is rolling off its highest scoring performance this season, 25 points at Montana.
Last year the Mustangs led the FCS in scoring with 44.4 points and 487.5 yards per game.
This season it’s been a tale of two stories — a good running game and a bad passing game.
The Mustangs rushing offense ranks 27th in the FCS in total yardage (878), and 17th in yards per game (175.6) this season.
Cal poly fullback Jordan Yocum, led the ground attack last Saturday against Montana with 119 yards and a touchdown—the fourth time a Mustang running back has broken 100 yards in a game this season.
The Mustangs triple option ground attack remains the offensive workhorse, as it has been for years, but for every strength, there is a weakness.
Cal Poly’s passing offense has struggled to find its consistency this year.
With the departure of record-breaking receiver Ramses Barden last season, the Mustangs have yet to find a true No. 1 receiver. Their leading candidate, UCLA transfer Dominique Johnson, looked to be on his way to establishing himself, but has been sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury.
Barden made 12 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns last year against the Thunderbirds.
Johnson is just one name that highlights a packed disabled-list — one that includes junior quarterback Tony Smith and slot back Jono Grayson.
“We have a lot of guys that are pretty nicked up,” Walsh said. “The training room’s busy and hopefully we can get guys back as soon as we can get em’ back … the guys that get the opportunity to play will have the opportunity to help us win football games.”
If Smith cannot make the start, due to his injury, Walsh will call on redshirt freshman Andre Broadous. Broadous has played in two games this year, but has accumulated no passing statistics. He came in for one series last Montana but was quickly pulled after fumbling a snap. His only stats are -2 yards rushing on 4 attempts.
The other quarterback on the depth chart that could see playing time is senior Harlan Prather, a junior college transfer with two years of quarterbacking experience.
On the other side of the ball, Cal Poly has forced 15 turnovers this year and holds a plus-7 turnover margin. Junior cornerback Scottie Cordier is tied for third in the FCS with four interceptions and linebacker Marty Mohamed ranks 38th in the FCS in total tackles (9.40 per game).
But even with defensive playmakers, Cal Poly may have a problem in containing the rolling Thunderbird offense.
“Our offense has a lot of confidence right now and in sports a lot of confidence can sometimes work against you, so we’ve got to stay humble and realize what’s at stake,” Thunderbird head coach Ed Lamb said in a statement. “We’ve had a [bye] week of extra preparation; we’ve got a team that’s getting hot at the right time.”
The Thunderbird’s potent offense ranks 14th in FCS in scoring, led by senior quarterback Cade Cooper. Off to a great start, Cooper has thrown for 250 yards or more in three straight games heading into Saturday’s contest. He ranks seventh in the FCS for passing touchdowns (13) and 19th in the FCS for passing yardage (1,275).
The top two receiving threats for Southern Utah, Fesi Sitake and Tysson Poots, have combined for 62 receptions this year, more than the entire Mustang receiving corps combined. In last year’s contest, Poots had 16 receptions for 246 yards and a touchdown while Sitake added five grabs for 94 yards and a score.
Homecoming could mark an actual trip home for some Thunderbirds, 19 hail from California.
Lamb also returns west this weekend. Two seasons ago, he served as special teams coordinator for the University of San Diego. Lamb has churned a 6-10 record overall five games into his second season as Head Coach.
He is 0-1 against Cal Poly.
Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m. with radio coverage available on KCPR beginning half an hour prior to kickoff.