OK, it’s been a few days now. A 3-month odyssey of a season came to an end on Saturday in an odd second-round 18-16 playoff loss to Sam Houston State. The game was weird. Both teams played great defense. Both offenses blew opportunities to seize the game.

I’ve written a “what we learned” post after many of the games this season. So here’s a “what we learned” based on both Saturday’s playoff loss and the season in general. Here is What we learned:

Cal Poly quarterback Andre Broadous will go down as the standard for future Tim Walsh triple option quarterbacks at Cal Poly to have to live up to. By Owen Main

Andre Broadous set a standard –

Cal Poly came into this season with high hopes. Seniors at key positions and overflowing talent at many positions gave Mustangs fans high hopes. Many of these hopes were lain squarely on the shoulders of the senior quarterback.

Broadous did not disappoint. Managing to stay healthy throughout the season, Broadous racked up 648 yards and nine touchdowns as the team’s third-leading rusher. As the leader of Tim Walsh’s triple option, Broadous made precise decisions with honed precision. Broadous’ offense was prolific, averaging 36.7 points and 324 yards rushing per game. It was everything Cal Poly fans could have asked for. Especially when the Mustangs won.

In losses, fumbles by Broadous turned out costly. Broadous lost fumbles in each of Cal Poly’s three losses, including a key fumble early in the playoff game on Saturday. Coach Tim Walsh would argue that there were a hundred plays that Cal Poly could have made a bigger difference on. But Broadous (and the team’s) ability to hold onto the ball was a huge indicator of success. Multiple turnovers for a triple option team are not easily overcome.

All that being said, Broadous was a stud. He will go down as one of three quarterbacks who took a Cal Poly team to the FCS playoffs. Even fans who were down on the triple option began to be turned by Broadous and company’s dominance. Broadous’ impact on Cal Poly football is that he is the triple option quarterback future Tim Walsh quarterbacks at Cal Poly will be judged against.

Led by Sullivan Grosz (94), Cal Poly’s defense proved it could match-up with anyone in the country. By Owen Main

Tim Walsh can coach some defense —

In the shadow of Rich Ellerson’s defense that saw three consecutive Buck Buchanan award winners, Tim Walsh’s defense had their struggles this season. Starting with a change with the secondary coach and ending with both starting safeties being injured for the playoff game, it seemed like the defense just couldn’t get a break.

But with two weeks to prepare, Walsh and his staff can coach up a defense to dominate. Sam Houston State scored over 50 points in nearly half their games this season, and Cal Poly gave up only 18 points, one touchdown, and 241 yards of total offense. One SHSU fan commented that “Y’all’s defense is straight up legit.” I couldn’t agree more. This team finally figured out some things defensively by the end, which is encouraging for next year. Kennith Jackson and Nico Molino will be missed by the defense. But with players like linebacker Nick Dzubnar (107 tackles this season) and defensive tackle Sullivan Grosz (5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries), Cal Poly’s defense is set-up to be better next year.

Sometimes it seemed as though Deonte Williams was the only player on the field. By Owen Main

We were lucky to have Deonte Williams —

Even if Deonte really shined mostly during one season at Cal Poly, Mustang fans are lucky to have had him here. Williams racked-up the second-most yards ever in a single season at Cal Poly (1,506) and was the type of athlete the football team gets its hands on maybe every 3rd or 4th year.

Williams’ talent is a major reason why Cal Poly made it to the playoffs this season. At the same time, Mustang fans have to be nervous, too. Offensive playmakers like Kristaan Ivory, Cole Stanford, Willie Tucker, and Akineyene Umoh will all be back next season, but without the force that Williams was this season, it remains to be seen how Walsh will manage to fill a 1,500-plus yard void at tailback and break-in a new quarterback simultaneously next year.

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Next year. It always sounds so promising, especially when fans of Cal Poly didn’t think they were far away from winning a playoff road game and going to the Elite 8 of FCS football.

For now, Cal Poly fans will be stuck reminiscing about what “might have been.” A final examination of this year’s Cal Poly team has to be positive. A share of the Big Sky Conference Championship. A playoff appearance. Record-setting performances.

After starting his Cal Poly career 4-7 four years ago, Tim Walsh has re-raised the bar in his fourth season. Great programs are built on one season like this turning into another and another. Time is the untamed mistress of college football programs. Runs of three, four, or five years can become legendary. A single successful season is something that happens more commonly. Teams can take years to get back into the playoffs. We will have answers to all of our questions, with time.

Next year.