UC Davis Dominates Cal Poly in a Riveting Golden Horseshoe Rivalry Showdown!
The Mustangs got off to a rough start during their road game against UC Davis, ultimately suffering a lopsided 56-10 defeat to the consensus No. 6-ranked team in the FCS.
Following a competitive performance the previous week against Idaho State, where the Mustangs (2-4, 1-2 Big Sky) lost on a last-second field goal, they struggled to keep pace with their rivals, the Aggies.
By the end of the first quarter, the Mustangs were down 28-3, thanks to several big passing plays from UC Davis quarterback Miles Hastings and a pick-six by defensive back Rex Connors.
Quarterback Richie Watts replaced starting QB Bo Kelly and brought a spark to the team. He connected with receiver Michael Briscoe for a 52-yard gain and then again for a 31-yard catch, bringing the Mustangs to the 2-yard line, where Watts scored on a keeper. Despite playing in only two games, Watts currently leads the team in rushing touchdowns.
Watts transferred to Cal Poly from Buffalo University, where he threw for 2,148 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just two interceptions, leading the College of San Mateo to the Juco National Championship with a 12-1 record.
Jaden Jones started the matchup against Idaho State but was placed in concussion protocol after a hard hit from a Bengals defender. The Mustangs rotated between Kelly and Watts in his absence.
During a practice on Tuesday, Head Coach Paul Wulff indicated that a similar rotation format would likely continue moving forward.
The Mustangs’ struggles against UC Davis persisted, as they have now lost seven consecutive matchups in the rivalry known as the Battle for the Golden Horseshoe. Their last victory came in 2016 at home, and the following year they lost narrowly, 31-28. Since that 2017 game, the Mustangs have not come closer than a one-score defeat.
In the next three seasons, they endured losses of 52-10, 48-24, and 73-24.
This year’s defeat fits into the trend of games that haven’t been competitive.
The Mustangs face an even tougher schedule in the upcoming weeks.
They will take on No. 7-ranked Idaho on the road, followed by matchups against No. 14-ranked Montana and No. 24 Northern Arizona University, which recently defeated Montana.
Struggling in the Big Sky
Cal Poly has experienced significant defeats in the Big Sky Conference, which is known to be one of the toughest in the FCS. The team has only been somewhat competitive in a few games, with Northern Colorado being the only team performing worse in the conference.
Since the pandemic season of 2020, the squad has undergone extensive roster changes and coaching turnover, and this season is no exception, as they welcomed over 80 new players.
Wulff stepped in for Beau Baldwin, who left for Arizona State after the 2022 season. However, from a talent standpoint, the team has lost several promising players to higher levels of competition.
Tight end Josh Cuevas and defensive back Jay’Vion Cole were standout underclassmen at Cal Poly but later transferred to Washington and San Jose State. After their time at these institutions, both have now reached the highest tiers of college football, playing for Alabama and Texas.
From last year’s roster, the Mustangs also saw Sam Huard transfer to Utah, while offensive coordinator Sheldon Cross moved to Stetson. Additionally, defensive player Donovan Saunders has joined Texas A&M.
Though the new John Madden Football Center is expected to aid in player retention and recruitment, its construction has been delayed by at least a year; it was originally slated for completion this fall.
In the current landscape of the transfer portal and NIL opportunities, the Mustangs will need to devise strategies to retain talent, or they, along with other FCS programs, risk becoming mere feeders for FBS schools.