Mustangs Could be Hit Hard by Hubbard Loss

Cal Poly’s secondary has been most consistent with one thing so far this season — tackling. With a front-seven led by star linebacker Kennith Jackson and a secondary that strikes fear into the hearts of its opponents, Cal Poly’s defense has become not just effective but, seemingly, feared.

Which leads us to this week’s big story going into tomorrow’s game — the suspension of starting safety Alex Hubbard. Hubbard, a junior, is one of the hardest hitters on the defense and has laid a number of opposing receivers and running backs out all year. When other teams start fast, it usually takes just a few big tackles from the defense before opposing offenses start to do things like drop passes and over-think cuts and decisions.

Cal Poly’s physicality is a huge advantage they have had all year. And losing Hubbard will hurt.

Here’s a video of the play courtesy of the Big Sky. The first play, which is away from the ball, is the one Hubbard was suspended for. The second one, which the conference reviewed but did not take action on, is the reason why Cal Poly will miss Hubbard.

Alex Hubbard rushes to help tackle a Wyoming ball carrier earlier in the season. Photo by Owen Main

I asked a few questions of the Big Sky and got answers REALLY quickly.

Have suspensions like this happened this year in the Big Sky?

The answer to this question is yes. Two players have been suspended by the conference prior to this week. Apparently this week –when they suspended four players, including Hubbard — was particularly bad.

How long has the Big Sky been suspending players like this?

I have been told the conference has been cracking down on plays like this for about four years now.

While Cal Poly is still the favorite in today’s game, there are usually a number of factors that contribute to an upset. I don’t think today’s is a game Cal Poly loses, but I do think it follows their pattern from this year. That means it would be closer than the Mustangs want it to be — especially in the first half.