By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
With South Florida now in the rear-view, the attention has quickly shifted to Cal Poly.
The Mustangs (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky) are the only non-FBS opponent on the 2017 schedule for the Spartans (0-1, 0-0 MW), but to head coach Brent Brennan, the FCS team is none to take lightly.
“We need to make sure that we are locked in and ready to handle what’s coming at us because this is a very good football team,” Brennan said.
In four seasons, Cal Poly has established a dynasty on the ground, leading the entire 124-team FCS in rushing four consecutive years, averaging 347.9 YPG in that span.
The Mustangs have kept their run game old-fashioned, as a big part of their success on the ground comes from a player who, on paper, doesn’t even play running back.
Mustang senior Joe Protheroe, a 6-foot, 230-pound fullback had a breakout 2016 season, rushing for 1,334 yards and will continue to get a crazy amount of touches from the backfield this fall.
Last week in Cal Poly’s 20-14 loss to Colgate, Protheroe picked up right where he left off last season, opening up his 2017 campaign with a 39–carry, 139-yard performance.
This should scream concern for defensive coordinator Derrick Odum as the Spartans, by now, have probably been universally exposed about their inability to stop the run.
Since 2013, the Spartans have conceded an average of 228.3 YPG to opposing ball carriers, dangerously ranking them in the top 10 worst rush defenses since.
Having a run game of their own would certainly help the Spartans Saturday, as Malike Roberson, Zamore Zigler and Dejon Packer all combined for a quiet 109 yards last week against USF, even with a solid showing from the offensive line.
Yes, there’s a world of difference between 1-1 in Texas and 0-2 in Texas, but Brennan won’t discount Cal Poly because of who it plays before or after. Football is to be played on Saturdays. Every Saturday. The opponent is irrelevant to Brennan.
“It doesn’t matter if we’re playing Cal Poly or if we’re playing South Florida,” Brennan said. “We got to line up and play our asses off and find a way to make some plays.”