The Importance of the Head Coach… and Green Man

On Saturday, Cal Poly’s football team came back — again.

Good college football teams have to be deep enough to survive a few injuries. With a 27-24 comeback victory, the Mustangs proved that they have depth.

Already without standout Mark Rodgers (shoulder injury), senior cornerback and team leader Asa Jackson attempted to play on an injured foot. In the midst of a collectively dreadful start for Cal Poly, Jackson hobbled off the field in the first half and didn’t return.

As Jackson left the field, it seemed like the spirit of the Mustangs defense left with him.  South Dakota quarterback Dante Warren took advantage, slicing the Mustangs defense to give the Coyotes to a commanding 17-0 lead.

Frankly, it looked like Cal Poly, and their hopes of an at-large BCS bid, were whipped.

Even Green Man’s spirits were a little down (see below).

Whatever Cal Poly coach Tim Walsh said to his team at halftime, it worked.

Aided by an injury to Warren, Mustangs quarterback Andre Broadous led a furious fourth-quarter comeback for the second time in two weeks.

When James Langford’s 39 yard field goal sailed through the uprights, the comeback was complete and the Mustangs’ playoff hopes were still alive.

When a team makes a habit of being resilient and coming back from deficits late in games, it speaks to the character of the team, as Walsh said after the game. But it speaks just as clearly about the coach himself. A college football team is nothing if not a reflection of its coach and, in the case of this season, the toughness of Walsh and his team gave the Cal Poly football continued hope.

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This year, Cal Poly unveiled new premium tailgate spots near the stadium. And Mustangs fans have taken full advantage. After tailgating there with the SLO Chapter of the Alumni Association before the game, I’m convinced that between the Stampede Club and the premium tailgate spots, the University has created an on-campus day-of-game environment second to none. If you are in San Luis Obispo County, spending a whole day at Cal Poly and catching a football game at night makes for a pretty sweet day.

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Green Man.

From the press box, he was the most visible fan on the entire East side of the field. Standing-up and pointing for first-downs and cheering throughout the game, Green Man was at the heart of a Dodger Stadium-late Halloween/Parents Weekend crowd.

During a halftime conversation, Green Man told Fansmanship that he is a 5th-year senior who goes to most of the Cal Poly football games. It was the first game he’s come at Green Man (in fact, the costume can be purchased at http://begreenman.com/ . Green Man, like all Mustangs fans, was not happy with the first half, but still felt like things could get turned around.

He was right.

Green Man, Fansmanship.com salutes you and your fansmanship.

We Salute Green Man's Fansmanship