Self-inflicted errors doom Cal Poly football in 48-13 loss to Eastern Washington

On a wet and dreary Saturday, Paul Wulff and the Cal Poly Mustangs traveled to Big Sky rival Eastern Washington, a place where the Mustangs’ head coach enjoyed considerable success in his past tenure there.

A rain-dampened banner behind Cal Poly’s bench at Roos Field, where Wulff led the Eagles to the Big Sky Championship in 2004 and 2005, listed his three honors as conference Coach of the Year, in 2001, 2004 and 2005.

But Wulff’s return to the signature red field was far from a happy homecoming as the Mustangs failed to put up a competitive fight against the coach’s former team, falling 48-13 in a game that got ugly early.

Cal Poly gave up two touchdowns before 3 minutes had elapsed on the clock, and 45 total in the first half.

To start the game, the Mustangs allowed a deep kickoff return, which the Eagles converted into a rushing touchdown for the opening score.

On Cal Poly’s first possession, quarterback Sam Huard was hit blindside by a Eastern Washington defender and fumbled the ball, which led to another quick Eagle touchdown.

The defense then forced two three-and-outs in a row, but the Mustangs offense couldn’t find a rhythm, giving Eastern Washington opportunities to add to its lead.

And that’s what the Eagles did, pouring on the points in the second quarter to the tune of three touchdowns and a field goal.

By halftime, the score was 45-9, the other two Cal Poly points coming courtesy of a safety when an Eastern Washington snap sailed over the punter’s head and out the back of the end zone.

Two more games remain in Cal Poly’s season

Coming off a win over Northern Colorado before the team’s by week and respectable showings against nationally ranked Montana State and University of Idaho in the two weeks prior, the Mustangs appeared to be making progress, especially with an easier schedule the rest of the way.

But the blowout loss against unranked Eastern Washington was a step in the wrong direction.

While the team is relatively young, the same issues that plagued the Mustangs earlier in the season continue to persist.

Self-inflicted errors such as poor special teams play, dropped passes and missed tackles continue to hurt the program.

Huard finished with 145 yards on 14 of 29 passing. Redshirt sophomore Michael Briscoe caught the team’s lone touchdown of the day on a 17-yard grab that was initially ruled out of bounds, before the call was overturned.

The Mustangs’ secondary forced six pass breakups, but the offense’s inability to put together drives kept the defense on the field for the majority of the game.

The only other Cal Poly scoring came from two additional safeties, also on snaps that sailed over the punter and into the back of the end zone, meaning the Mustangs almost scored more points on defense than offense.

The loss dropped Cal Poly to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in conference.

Up next, the Mustangs take on Sacramento State on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. before they wrap up the season at home against Weber State on Nov. 18.