Mustangs look a little better but fall big to South Dakota State

Cal Poly’s offense looked better on Saturday, racking-up 428 yards of total offense, but was still held to under 20 points. By Owen Main

Cal Poly’s offense looked more consistent on Saturday night in Brookings, South Dakota, but lack of conversions, lack of points, and 500-plus yards by the South Dakota State Jackrabbit offense turned out to be the difference in what turned into a 44-18 rout.

The game was closer than that. Cal Poly trailed 7-6 in the first quarter and fell behind 16-12 at halftime. In the second half, though, the Cal Poly defense broke down, giving up 282 yards total including 238 second-half rushing yards en route to the loss.

What has Cal Poly head coach Walsh learned about his team after the first two games, both losses?

“I learned we’re not a very good second half team,” said Walsh. “We were 14-10 and statistically winning the game. We’re down by four getting the ball to start the second half last week and went in and said ‘What a great opportunity’, 16-12, down by four again.”

Cal Poly would punt and pin South Dakota State deep in their own territory, but the Jackrabbits went 81 yards in six plays to go ahead by double-digits. They would never look back.

South Dakota State’s Zach Zenner rushes for a 15-yard touchdown on Saturday night. Zenner rushed for 193 yards in the game, becoming the all-time leading rusher in the Missouri Valley Conference. By Owen Main

“We’re not finishing drives on offense,” said Walsh. Cal Poly converted on just 38 percent of their third-down opportunities and on just one of three fourth downs.

“When we get behind, with our offense, and they’re chewing the clock up with their offense, two touchdowns down, that’s a monumental task for us to come back and win that game because of the style we play,” said Walsh. “We have to find a way to score some touchdowns, that’s number one on offense, and then on defense, we’re going to work on making sure we can fit the run game better because our next opponent [Portland State] can run the football too.”

The game was record-setting for Mustangs on both sides of the ball. Nick Dzubnar recorded a career-high 19 tackles nad quarterback Chris Brown passed for a career-high 202 yards in the loss.

The loss drops the Mustangs to 0-2 going into an early bye week. Their next game is against Portland State in their home opener on September 20.

Photos by Owen Main

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