Mustang Daily Staff Report
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It hasn’t been easy for head coach Tim Walsh and the Cal Poly football team.
In the team’s first year in the Big Sky Conference, the injuries are beginning to get to the Mustangs.
The Cal Poly football team finished the 2012 regular season a co-champion of the Big West Conference, splitting the title three ways with Eastern Washington and Montana State after going 9-2 overall and 7-1 in the Big Sky.
The Mustangs travel to play Sam Houston State this Saturday, Dec. 1 in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
But the Mustangs have been knicked up since summer two-a-days, with injuries plaguing the team all season.
“We are hurting,” Walsh said. “That’s what happens in football. But you’ve got to play with the guys you have. What makes teams good are guys that have the opportunity to step up and play.”
Walsh’s Mustangs have sustained injuries at virtually every position.
Senior cornerback Bjion Samoodi, still recovering from a hip injury, missed the entire season and used his redshirt year to come back next year.
Fellow defensive back, sophomore Kevin Britt was also shelved before the season began, and defensive backs junior Alex Hubbard and sophomore Dave Douglas will likely not travel with the team this weekend because of their ongoing injuries.
In their absence, defensive backs Matthew Reza and Jordan Williams will be asked to fill the void, combining for 59 tackles this season.
“Our depth at safety is tarnished,” Walsh said. “(Molino) stepped up his game at corner and we needed him. (Lewis) has really played well throughout the year. He’s done a tremendous job for us.”
On offense, the Mustangs’ linemen have been hit hard by injuries.
Right tackle Mike Freeman suffered a broken fibula and multiple torn ligaments in his ankle joint, giving redshirt freshman Weston Walker the opportunity to play.
“Weston Walker did a phenomenal job,” Walsh said. “A lot of those guys have stepped up their ‘A’ game when guys got hurt. That’s what makes a good football team.”
Offensive linemen Karl Winkelman and Goeff Hyde, as well as quarterback Andre Broadous and running back Deonte Williams will all play despite their minor health issues over the course of the 2012 season.
“I feel good about the quality of the football team we had considering we got a little more knicked up than other teams,” Walsh said. “It’s been a different position each week that got hit. But we’ve responded well. If we can find a way to fight our way through a game this week, we might be healthy the following week.”
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m in Huntsville, Texas this Saturday.
Jacob Lauing and Jefferson P. Nolan contributed to this article.