Cal Poly football will embark on their 2025 season with a matchup against a frequent early season foe, the University of San Diego on August 30, with key roles up for grabs throughout their starting lineup.
The Mustangs are 5-1 in the last six matchups with the Toreros dating back to 2019, but San Diego took last season’s opening contest at home 27-21. The Toreros also knocked off the Mustangs the last time Cal Poly made the FCS playoff, 35-21 at Mustang Memorial Field in 2016.
While Cal Poly returns plenty of experience on both sides of the ball, multiple starters from last season either graduated or transferred away in the offseason.
Incumbent starting quarterback Bo Kelly is the presumptive favorite to be under center for the Mustangs, but Jackson Akins was impressive in his short stints at quarterback last season.
Akins completed 61 passes in his two starts, tallying 280 yards or more against Northern Arizona and Sacramento State.
Whoever draws the starting assignment will have a new look offense to command.
Wide receiver Giancarlo Woods was the go to target for the Mustangs passing attack last season, but with his graduation Logan Booher and Big Sky all-preseason team member Michael Briscoe will have to step into a bigger role.
2024 leading rusher Aiden Ramos transferred away in the offseason, leaving a wide open running back room that could be led by Zion Hall or Paul Holyfield Jr.
The defense finished in the middle of the Big Sky pack last season giving up 31.3 points per game, and much like the offense has holes to fill around some key returners.
2024 First Team All-Big Sky pass rusher Elijah Ponder signed with the New England Patriots in the offseason, leaving a big hole opposite Ponder’s Bishop Amat high school teammate Ethan Rodriguez on the defensive line.
Mason Rivera and Ethan Calvert were both named as members of the Big Sky all-preseason team, and will anchor the secondary and linebacker core respectively.
Scouting the Toreros
San Diego finds themselves in a similar spot as the Mustangs, with two capable quarterbacks dueling for the starting position.
Dom Nankil and Tyler Voss took a backseat to Grant Sergent last season, but now both are ready to step into the spotlight for San Diego.
Nankil got extended run in the 2023 season, ending up as a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award given to the best player in FCS.
The Toreros were picked to win the Pioneer league this season, gaining five of the possible 10 first place votes and being named on all 10 possible ballots.
The Mustangs will kick off their season at Torero Stadium in San Diego at 5 p.m.