Cal Poly football has started the season 2-0 (1-0 Big Sky) for the first time since former President Barack Obama was reelected. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, that’s about where the good news ends.
It was an ugly game–which included three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties committed by the Mustangs–but the team managed to pull out a 24-17 victory over Division II opponent Central Washington.
There were some bright spots for the Mustangs, including wide receiver Ray Hall’s 125 yards and two touchdowns, as well as linebacker Mikey D’Amato’s 13 tackles and half sack.
Attendance was also way down, at 8,034 from a record-breaking 11,186 in the home opener.
Costly Penalties
Cal Poly’s first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty came on their first offensive drive. Lineman Anthony Patt shoved a Central Washington player to the ground after a play. The penalty killed their drive after a solid start, and the Mustangs punted.
Cal Poly’s second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty came on a celebration by defensive lineman Manaalii Danielson after he made a big tackle to force what would have been a fourth-and-six at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
“That was costly,” said D’Amato, who is also one of the team’s captains. “Stupid mistakes like that ultimately led them to stay in the game.”
D’Amato also took responsibility for a missed tackle on the same drive, which eventually led to a Central Washington touchdown.
On the extra point, Alek Marshall committed the Mustangs’ third unsportsmanlike penalty by roughing the long snapper.
Head Coach Tim Skipper was not happy with the penalties, but remained positive.
“This week we got a little lazy, you know?” Skipper said. “We’re early in the season, and we still have time, and we’re 2-0 with all that happening. So we got to celebrate that and keep moving forward.”
Statsheet Stuffers
D’Amato led the Mustangs in tackles for the second straight game and recorded his first (half) sack of the young season. However, he was not satisfied with his performance.
“I don’t think it was my best performance even though the numbers showed that it was a good night. Something that I got to clean up,” D’Amato said.
On the other side of the ball, Hall had a big night after a quiet one-reception performance against Idaho. Hall explained how he built a connection with starting quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr.
“Me and Grigs, we built up since I got here in spring,” Hall said. “We accumulated [by] making plays throughout the spring, summer, and fall camp.”
Looking Forward
The Mustangs will look to continue their winning streak in their first away game against San Jose State next week.
“It’s the first time the crowd will be against us. So we’re going to have to handle the trip,” Skipper said. “We’re going to have to play hard. We’re going to have to be competitive, tough, and physical, and do what we’re supposed to do.”