On the third drive of the game, Mustang receiver Tayvion McCoy was penalized for an “obscene gesture” because he grabbed his genitals in celebration after making a 30-yard catch. Cal Poly had to punt four plays later.
That sequence reflected Cal Poly Football’s (4-5, 3-3 Big Sky) 43-26 loss to the formerly winless Utah Tech (1-7, 1-4). The Mustangs turned the ball over six times, a season high and double last season’s high of three.
Going into the game, Cal Poly was tied for fourth in the Big Sky after a loss to Northern Colorado (3-6, 2-4), who are now eleventh in the Big Sky, ahead of only Utah Tech and Eastern Washington (2-6, 1-4). Cal Poly is now seventh in the conference.
The Mustangs missed multiple key players due to injury. Running back Jaden Green, who is third in the Big Sky in rushing yards, missed the game along with receiver and captain Fidel Pitts and offensive guard Leif Magnuson. Linebacker and captain Mikey D’Amato missed his third straight game.
“They’re probably all out right now. That’s my update. I don’t know when they’re going to come back,” Cal Poly Head Coach Tim Skipper said when asked for an update on the injured players.
Turnovers
Cal Poly’s first turnover was an interception on a deep shot thrown by quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr. during their attempted two-minute drill at the end of the first half. Utah Tech scored a field goal to take a two-score lead.
Grigsby Jr. threw his second interception in the middle of the third quarter. It was the first play of the drive on their own 24-yard line after the Mustang defense forced a punt when Grigsby Jr. threw the pick. Utah Tech linebacker Luke Hansen picked it off and carried it to the Cal Poly 4-yard line. Utah Tech scored a touchdown on the next play.
Grigsby Jr. threw his third interception at the end of the third quarter. Utah Tech got the ball back on the Cal Poly 23-yard line and kicked a field goal to give themselves a 30-19 lead.
Cal Poly’s fourth turnover came on the next drive when receiver Ray Hall fumbled. On third-and-19, Hall had just about run for the first down to about midfield after making a catch, but the ball popped out of his hands, and Utah Tech defensive back Ryan Tillman returned the ball all the way back to the Cal Poly 9-yard line. Utah Tech scored a touchdown after recovering their own fumble in the endzone.
Grigsby Jr. threw his fourth interception on the next drive, although it was essentially inconsequential. Desperate to score a touchdown, the Mustangs went for it on 4th and 6 in the red zone, even though a field goal would have made it a two-score game. Cal Poly was flagged for a hold on the play, so it would have been a negative play no matter what.
“They made plays,” Grigsby Jr. said. “They’re a good offense, but they are also a good defense. But overall, it’s my choice. Wherever the ball goes, it’s on me. So it’s just an unacceptable performance on my part.”
The sixth and last turnover was a muffed punt by McCoy. Utah Tech scored on the next drive, ending any hope the Mustangs had left.
Backup quarterback Bo Kelly entered the game on Cal Poly’s next drive and threw a 31-yard consolation touchdown to receiver Hudson Giarritta, who overcame defensive pass interference to make the catch over a defender in the endzone. It was Giarritta’s first reception and touchdown of his college career.
Looking Forward
With multiple players expected to be out, Cal Poly will travel to Bozeman, Montana, to try to snap its two-game losing streak against Montana State. Montana State leads the Big Sky with a 4-1 conference record and is 7-1 overall.
“It’s Halloween time, and that’s when injuries set in, and we’re going to trick or treat, and we either got fun with it or not,” Skipper said.