Field Pass — Cal Poly by Bozeman Daily Chronicle

No. 20 Cal Poly (1-2) vs. No. 15 Montana State (1-1), 1:35 p.m., Bobcat Stadium A S P E C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E

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SIDELINE BRIEFING Sept. 19 @ E. Washington, L 55-50 Sept. 26 Cal Poly, 1:35 p.m. Oct. 3 @ No. Arizona, 4:05 p.m. Oct. 10 Sacramento State, 5:10 p.m. Oct. 17 @ Portland St., 1:35 p.m. Oct. 24 E. Tennessee State, 2:35 p.m. Oct. 31 @ North Dakota, Noon Nov. 7 Southern Utah, 1:40 p.m. Nov. 14 @ Idaho State, 2:35 p.m. Nov. 21 Montana, 12:10 p.m.

SERIES: Cal Poly leads 10-4 CROWD: Bobcat Stadium (17,777) TELEVISION: Cowles Media Montana (Chris Byers, Mike Callaghan, Rob Jesselson) RADIO: Bobcat Radio Network   (Jay Sanderson, Dan Davies, Riley Corcoran) COACHES: Rob Ash MSU, ninth year 36th year overall 66-33 at MSU, 242-132-5 overall Tim Walsh Cal Poly, seventh year 25th year overall 40-32 at Cal Poly, 157-114 overall SCHEDULE: Montana State Sept. 3 Fort Lewis, W 45-14

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Offense In each of Montana State’s first two games, Dakota Prukop’s first pass has been directed toward tight end Beau Sandland. Neither has connected, but the 6-foot-6 transfer from Miami made his first impact play when he hauled in a 14-yard, fourth-down touchdown in the first half against Eastern Washington. The Eagles took Sandland away for the most part, but offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey is sure to continue looking for ways to get the talented senior the ball.

Kori Garcia turned in a 1,000yard season in 2014 and is back for more in the Mustangs’ backfield. The junior slot back averaged more than 90 yards per conference game last fall, including 124 in a win over the Bobcats. Garcia scored a touchdown in that game and set up Cal Poly’s first score with a 32-yard scamper in the first quarter. Quarterback Chris Brown and H-back Joe Protheroe have garnered the majority of attention, but Garcia (107 yards, 3.0 per carry) is dangerous. Defense Strong side linebacker Mac Bignell has led MSU in tackles and tackles for loss in each of the first two games, and forced a key fumble in the fourth quarter against EWU. The redshirt sophomore has played with decisiveness and explosiveness, and will need to continue to make the correct reads against a Mustangs offense that requires discipline. MSU coaches stressed the importance of sticking

to particular responsibilities against Cal Poly, something Bignell has done well so far. Mustangs junior safety B.J. Nard is playing his first college football this year. He hasn’t wasted any time making an impact. Nard missed two full years because of a knee injury suffered in the fall of 2013, but recorded three interceptions against Montana in his collegiate debut Sept. 5. He’s second on the team in tackles (23), and will be part of the last line of defense against a Bobcats offense that registered 20 explosive plays — runs of 10 or more and passes of 20 or more — against EWU. QUICK HITS: n The three top rushers in the Big Sky will be at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, led by quarterbacks Prukop (132.5 per game) and Brown (113). Protheroe is third at 92.3. n Montana State has lost six consecutive games against nationally ranked FCS opponents.

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throw it, he can create on the run, and he “turnsHebadcan plays into great plays. ... At some point in

”

his career, he’s going to win the Walter Payton Award. Tim Walsh, Cal Poly head coach

CHANGING THE GAME Multi-talented Dakota Prukop fulfilling expectations, leading the charge for Montana State BY JON MALETZ

CHRONICLE SPORTS EDITOR

eau Sandland cannot help but watch and be completely awe-struck. When those first few reads never materialize, when a fervent rush barrels into the backfield and the pocket collapses, the Miami transfer, like everyone in the stands, seeks out No. 5. He would not dare miss what Dakota Prukop comes up with next. “A play will break down and he’ll start running and you just want to watch him work, and you forget for a moment and think, ‘Wait, I should probably be blocking someone right now,’” Sandland jokes. Count head coach Rob Ash among those impressed. The veteran head coach admits, however, that he could not help but recoil as he watched his talented junior signal caller successfully hurdle an Eastern Washington defender on an athletic scramble deep in Eastern Washington territory during Saturday’s clash in Cheney. “At the same time, I admire that and I was glad to see that,” Ash says. “I felt like ever since the spring, Dakota was thinking a little bit about his knee and last year. What I liked best about Saturday is he just went out and played football.” And commanded the Bobcats attack with the resolve and confidence few have displayed here. Perhaps one should have seen this coming. After winning a protracted quarterback battle last fall, the Austin, Texas native produced 3,525 yards of offense and 31 touchdowns in just 11 starts, spearheading MSU’s fight for a conference crown and return to

the postseason. And who could forget those eight touchdowns against Sacramento State and 77-point outburst against UC Davis. Then again, uncertainty clouded the future after Prukop tore his PCL in November, subsequently missed two contests and clearly was not himself in a first-round loss to South Dakota State. The doubts can be put to rest after his impressive off-season and meteoric maturation, however. “He’s a better quarterback this year,” offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey says. “I thought last year he relied heavily on his athletic ability to do what he did. … There were times when it was ‘One, two, three, I don’t know where I’m going so I’m going to run as fast as I can.’ This year, it’s more of a ‘Check first read, check second read, where’s the third read? There it is. Now, I can take off if need be.’” The doubts can be put to rest after Saturday, when Prukop was the picture of health and fortitude. PHOTOS BY ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/CHRONICLE

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“I hope we don’t have to rely on him running the ball that much and in every game — that’s a dangerous situation — but as the game went along, he threw caution to the wind and just said, ‘I’ve got to go get some yards for my team,’” Ash says. “He was nothing short of spectacular.” The Bobcats should not have been this close. Their offense sputtered early after a lengthy layoff. Their defense was feckless against an Eagles squad that averaged more than 15 yards per snap in the first 30 minutes and sped out to a three-touchdown advantage midway through the second quarter. There was no way the visitors could keep pace, right? “I thought his determination and his guts in the game were sensational, and he just kept us in the game,” Ash says of Prukop. “He just was not going to let our team fall any further behind; he almost singlehandedly brought us back.” The revival commenced in earnest during a 14-play 72-yard

Prukop calls out instructions against Eastern Washington.

march midway through the second quarter. Prukop produced two runs of 10 or more yards on the drive — and nine on the afternoon — and MSU, which trailed 28-7, converted twice on third down. When confronted with a fourth and 4 at the Eastern 14, offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey called on Prukop for a spark; he responded with a perfect scoring strike to Sandland. Prukop set up a field goal in the waning moments of the frame with a 15-yard sprint and 22-yard out to Connor Sullivan. In the third and fourth quarters, he methodically took over. Of the Bobcats’ 50 offensive snaps in the final half, Prukop

had the ball in his hands on 41. He made good use of them, helping generate five consecutive touchdown drives and trim the deficit to five. Included in that span were 30- and 21-yard connections with wide receiver Mitchell Herbert — the sophomore somehow snagged the latter with a few fingers in tight coverage — a 2-yard plunge of his own and an improbable fourth-down conversion. Prukop was flushed out of the pocket, took off toward the near sideline before being thwarted, and then instinctively reversed field and retreated behind the line of scrimmage to regain his

right to throw. When running back Gunnar Brekke flashed open in the end zone, Prukop steadied himself and fired a 22-yard strike to the pylon that his backfield mate snagged as he was falling out of bounds. Later, Prukop preempted Chad Newell’s 1-yard score by bouncing outside on third and 3, tucking the ball and soaring over D’londo Tucker before being dropped mere feet from the goal line. “He’s a fiery leader that’s got the offense behind him; they will do anything he needs them to do and battle for him,” Cramsey says. “When you see a quarterback jumping over people and doing what he’s doing in those situations, it really picks them up.” Prukop headed to the locker room with 104 rushing yards, 113 yards through the air on 10-of-19 passing and a 17-point deficit. He finished with 196 rushing, 353 passing and five touchdowns, finishing just seven shy of Travis Lulay’s school-record 556 total yards, established in 2004.

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win. … I couldn’t get it done.” Through 13 starts, Prukop Cramsey chose to heap praise, owns three of the program’s top not blame, on his quarterback. five best tallies. He’s worked with a Walter He nearly produced the 300Payton Award winner in Ricky 200 performance noted quarSantos and a Colonial Athletic terback guru George Whitfield Association Offensive Jr. predicted in a Player of the Year in Sept. 11 tweet in Kevin Decker, now which he labeled an offensive assistant his pupil “The in Bozeman, during a deadliest playprevious stop at New maker maybe in all Hampshire. Cramsey of college.” is convinced Prukop All told, Prukop is a cut above. passed or ran on 74 “Decker’s not in of 104 plays. the room, so I won’t — Beau Sandland, While the numbers were Montana State tight end offend him, but (Prukop’s) by far the staggering, Prukop best I’ve ever coached, and I concerned himself with just a haven’t seen many guys live (like few — the finally score (55-50), him) at this level specifically,” and the one throw he’d give the coach asserts. “He’s as good anything to have back. as there is and what we need “I’m frustrated with myself, him to be. and I’m proud of this team,” he “Any coach will tell you with a said, wearing fresh bruises after kid with that ability, that fire, that being hit 25 times and a look of competitiveness, we’re going to frustration after his desperation heave was picked off in the wan- be all right down the road.” Added Sandland, “He’s obviing seconds. “When it came down to it, the ously the best in the FCS. He’s just so electrifying to watch.” defense put us in a position to

“He’s obviously the best in the FCS. He’s just so electrifying to watch.”

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MONTANA STATE TWO-DEEP OFFENSE

LT LG C RG RT TE QB RB X F/Y Z PK

55 62 75 54 70 65 63 73 71 60 85 15 5 2 17 27 82 87 13 19 3 4 45

BANDIT TACKLE NOSE END SAM MIKE WILL CB ROVER FS CB P 8

MONTANA STATE BOBCATS ROSTER

John Weidenaar Mitch Brott JP Flynn Monte Folsom Joel Horn Doug Hanson Kyle Godecke Caleb Gillis Alex Eekhoff Dylan Mahoney Beau Sandland Austin Barth Dakota Prukop Jake Bleskin Chad Newell Gunnar Brekke Mitch Herbert Connor Sullivan Mitch Griebel Jayshawn Gates Justin Paige Brandon Brown Luke Daly

DEFENSE 16 94 90 50 97 92 98 2 49 42 41 34 59 22 3 26 6 29 1 12 38 24 30 2

Zach Hutchins Devin Jeffries Taylor Sheridan Nate Bignell Connor Thomas Tucker Yates Tyrone Fa’anono Shiloh LaBoy Mac Bignell Joey Michael Grant Collins Blake Braun Fletcher Collins Marcus Tappan Bryson Keeton Tre’von Strong Desman Carter West Wilson DeMonte King Khari Garcia Trace Timmer Bryce Alley Trevor Bolton Jake Bleskin

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# 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

NAME DeMonte King Jake Bleskin Shiloh LaBoy Bryson Keeton Justin Paige Brandon Brown Braelen Evans Dakota Prukop Desman Carter Jordan Hoy Will Krolick Manny Kalfell Tavon Dodd Bryson McCabe Tanner Roderick Ben Folsom Khari Garcia Mitch Griebel Brady McChesney Toti Moeakiola Austin Barth Zach Hutchins Alex Tennant Chad Newell Wyatt Christensen Jayshawn Gates Marcus Tappan Nick LaSane Bryce Alley Zach Stern Tre’von Strong Gunnar Brekke Logan Jones West Wilson Trevor Bolton Brayden Konkol Sam Plucker Jessie Clark Blake Braun M. Gates-Mouton Chris Harris Sidney Holmes Trace Timmer Noah James Blake Sylvester Grant Collins Joey Michael Walker Cozzie Koni Dole

YR. POS. HT. Rf. DB 6-0 Sr. QB/P 6-1 Jr. DE 6-4 Sr. CB 6-2 So. WR 5-11 Jr. WR 6-0 Rf. CB 5-11 Jr. QB 6-2 Sr. DB 6-2 Fr. QB 6-1 Jr. WR 6-1 Sr. WR 6-2 Rf. RB 5-8 So. DB 6-0 Sr. WR 6-2 Fr. QB 6-2 So. DB 5-10 Sr. WR 5-11 Fr. QB 5-11 Rf. LB 6-0 Jr. TE 6-5 Jr. DL 6-3 Fr. WR 6-3 Jr. RB 6-1 Jr. LB 6-0 So. WR 5-8 So. LB 6-2 So. RB 5-11 So. CB 5-11 Jr. LB 6-2 Fr. DB 6-1 Jr. RB 5-11 Fr. RB 5-9 So. DB 5-11 Sr. K/P 5-10 Fr. S 6-1 Fr. LB 6-2 Jr. DE 6-3 Jr. LB 6-2 Jr. CB 5-9 Fr. DB 6-2 Fr. DB 5-11 Sr. DB 6-0 Rf. RB 6-1 Rf. LB 6-0 Rf. LB 6-4 Sr. LB 6-3 Fr. LB 6-1 Rf. LB 6-0

WT. HOMETOWN 190 Bellflower, CA 200 Great Falls 250 Honolulu, HI 190 Bakersfield, CA 175 Katy, TX 180 Austin, TX 190 Frisco, TX 200 Austin, TX 190 Pomona, CA 187 Rockwall, TX 190 Anchorage, AK 200 Bozeman 180 Houston, TX 205 Spirit Lake, IA 205 Bozeman 198 Jackson 195 Pomona, CA 190 Littleton, CO 170 Kalispell 215 Euless, TX 250 Columbia Falls 215 Las Vegas, NV 180 Littleton, CO 225 Billings 215 Fountain Valley, CA 155 Palo Alto, CA 235 Pasadena, CA 220 Dallas, TX 175 Houston, TX 200 Tarzana, CA 190 Billings 200 Helena 175 Kalispell 200 Columbia, MO 195 Great Falls 201 Belgrade 230 Appleton, WI 245 Amite, LA 220 Riverside, CA 185 Palo Alto, CA 190 Lake Elsinore, CA 190 Silsbee, TX 185 Great Falls 205 Kalispell 200 Corvallis 215 Bozeman 205 Cashmere, WA 220 Helena 210 Huntley Project

45 Luke Daly 46 Woody Brandom 47 Keegan Bray 48 Tanner Hoff 49 Mac Bignell 50 Nate Bignell 51 B. J. Ojo 53 Robert Walsh 54 Monte Folsom 55 John Weidenaar 56 Rocky Hogue 57 Tyrone Fa’anono 58 Josh Hill 59 Fletcher Collins 60 Dylan Mahoney 61 Byron Rollins 62 Mitch Brott 63 Kyle Godecke 65 Doug Hanson 66 Bryan Wilkes 67 Jake McFetridge 68 Garrett Gregg 70 Joel Horn 71 Alex Eekhoff 72 Colin Hammock 73 Caleb Gillis 74 Wade Webster 75 JP Flynn 76 Kash Perry 79 Chris Robinson 80 Curtis Amos 82 Mitchell Herbert 83 Hunter Mahlum 84 Cameron Sutton 85 Beau Sandland 86 Keon Stephens 87 Connor Sullivan 88 John D’Agostino 89 Wilson Brott 90 Taylor Sheridan 91 Robert Wilcox 92 Tucker Yates 93 Matt Brownlow 94 Devin Jeffries 95 Joe Naotala 96 Zach Wright 97 Connor Thomas 98 Riley Griffiths 99 Marcus Ferriter

So. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. Sr. So. So. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Rf. Jr. Fr. Fr. Rf. So. Rf. Fr. Sr. Fr. Rf. Rf. Rf. Sr. Jr. Rf. So. So. Jr. Rf. Jr. Fr. Fr.

K TE DL S LB DE LB LB OL OL LS DL LB LB OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL TE WR WR WR TE WR WR WR TE DL DL DT DT DL DT DL DT DL DL

6-2 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-8 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-0 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-6 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-0 5-9 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-4

185 224 218 200 205 290 225 225 300 290 225 250 200 220 275 230 270 325 280 252 295 255 325 280 230 275 290 320 310 252 220 205 205 190 260 190 230 185 240 285 260 310 305 250 275 250 285 260 220

Billings Corona, CA Spokane, WA Hot Springs Drummond Drummond Marvel, TX Twin Bridges Dillon Manhattan Merced, CA Oxnard, CA Kalispell Seattle, WA Great Falls Missoula Billings Dillon Trabuco Canyon, CA Great Falls Huntington Beach, CA Afton, WY Kalispell Reno, NV Missoula Glenn Bettendorf, IA Bettendorf, IA Utica Pasadena, CA Burleson,TX Eugene, OR Missoula Norco, CA Woodland Hills, CA R. Cucamunga, CA Ennis Bozeman Billings Littleton, CO Frisco, TX Colstrip Missoula Kalispell Carlsbad, CA New Braunfels, TX Kalispell Issaquah, WA Butte

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CAL POLY TWO-DEEP OFFENSE

Z-BACK X-BACK LT LG C RG RT QB FB S-BACK W-BACK TE PK

8 7 12 10 59 67 67 64 77 64 63 64 68 71 9 2 5 35 13 4 24 20 84 86 83 87

Jordan Hines Willie Tucker Roland Jackson Jr. Carson McMurtrey Matthew Fisher Nick Enriquez Nick Enriquez Billy Shipman II Stephen Sippel Billy Shipman II Joey Kuperman Billy Shipman II Weston Walker Zach Shallcross Chris Brown Dano Graves Joe Protheroe Jared Mohamed DJ Peluso Kyle Lewis Kori Garcia Alex Suchesk Reagan Enger Max Betkowski Stephen Pyle Alex Vega

RE DT NT DE WILL MIKE SAM CB S S CB P

83 Logan Mayes 55 Jack Ferguson 73 Marcus Paige-Allen 94 Tyler Alsey 99 Augustino Elisaia 97 Jason Patterson 95 Kelly Shepard 91 Colin Dzubnar 11 Burton De Koning 39 R.J. Mazolewski 43 Tu’Uta Inoke 25 Chris Santini 36 Joseph Gigantino III 39 R.J. Mazolewski 20 Fernando Cabico 27 Matt McNab 3 Kevin Griffin 22 Aaron Johnson 1 B.J. Nard 18 Aaryn Bouzos 9 Karlton Dennis 30 Mekai Sheffie 83 Stephen Pyle 87 Alex Vega

DEFENSE

# 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 29 29 30 31 32 32 33 34 35 35 36 37 38 39 40 40 41

NAME B.J. Nard Dano Graves Kevin Griffin Kyle Lewis Jerek Rosales Joe Protheroe Kevin Porche Willie Tucker Jordan Hines Chris Brown Karlton Dennis Carson McMurtrey Burton De Koning Roland Jackson DJ Peluso Darren Adjei Andrew Barna Frankie Griggs Grant Caraway Aaryn Bouzos Kory Fox Kitu Humphrey Fernando Cabico Alex Suchesk Chris Fletcher Malcolm Davis Aaron Johnson Raven Middleton Kori Garcia Chris Santini Peyton Witcher Matt McNab Jake Smeltzer David Cooper Carter Nichols Mekai Sheffie Trey Nahhas Kameron Dennis Elias Stokes Clayton Hibbert Charlie Davis Jared Mohamed Noah Thompson Joseph Gigantino Will Gallo Kaulin Blair R.J. Mazolewski Grant Alton Nate Greenelsh Zac Lofting

YR. POS. HT. Jr DB 6-2 Sr QB 5-10 So DB 6-1 So SB 6-0 So. DB 6-0 So FB 6-0 Jr SB 5-9 Sr WR 6-3 Sr WR 6-2 Sr QB 6-2 Sr DB 5-10 Jr WR 6-3 Sr LB 6-2 Sr WR 5-10 Jr SB 6-0 Jr DB 6-3 Jr QB 6-2 Sr SB 5-10 So QB 6-1 So DB 5-9 Fr WR 6-0 Fr DB 5-10 Sr DB 5-10 Fr SB 5-9 Sr DB 5-9 Fr SB 5-9 RFr DB 6-0 Fr SB 6-2 Jr SB 5-10 Jr LB 6-1 Fr DB 5-9 So DB 5-7 Fr WR 6-3 Fr SB 5-9 Fr DB 5-10 RFr DB 5-10 Fr SB 6-1 Fr DB 5-11 Jr SB 5-10 Fr LB 6-0 Jr LB 6-2 So FB 6-0 Fr DB 6-2 Jr LB 6-2 Fr SB 6-1 Sr DB 5-11 So LB 6-0 Fr LB 6-2 Fr SB 6-0 Fr LB 6-3

WT. HOMETOWN 186 Stanton, CA 185 Folsom, CA 180 El Cerrito, CA 205 San Marcos, CA 185 Hercules, CA 225 Concord, CA 185 Inglewood, CA 201 El Dorado Hills, CA 202 Chula Vista, CA 205 Compton, CA 190 La Palma, CA 200 Folsom, CA 230 Folsom, CA 150 San Diego, CA 228 San Francisco, CA 200 Bakersfield, CA 215 Saratoga, CA 200 Ferndale, CA 190 Granite Bay, CA 185 La Mirada, CA 180 San Diego, CA 180 Gardena, CA 170 Chula Vista, CA 190 Ladera Ranch, CA 185 Chula Vista, CA 170 Chicago, IL 178 Fresno, CA 204 National City, CA 190 Los Angeles, CA 225 San Jose, CA 170 Nipomo, CA 175 Northridge, CA 200 Coto de Caza, CA 185 Ladera Heights, CA 170 Danville, CA 180 Los Angeles, CA 195 Sacramento, CA 185 La Palma, CA 195 Paso Robles, CA 230 Sun Valley, CA 225 San Leandro, CA 220 Brawley, CA 200 R.S. Margarita, CA 230 San Jose, CA 205 Modesto, CA 195 Danville, CA 218 Mission Viejo, CA 225 Arroyo Grande, CA 175 San Luis Obispo, CA 225 Vista, CA

42 43 44 46 48 51 52 53 54 55 57 58 59 5A 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 6A 70 71 72 73 75 77 79 80 81 82 83 83 84 85 86 87 88 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 99

Noah Letuligasenoa Fr Tu’Uta Inoke Sr Miles Williams So Nik Navarro Fr Josh Letuligasenoa Jr Ross Berry So Cutler Salmon Fr Anders Turner Fr Tiasamo Savusa Fr Jack Ferguson So Dylan Gutierrez Sr Jake Bland Fr Matt Fisher Jr J.J. Koski Fr Tyler Whisenhunt Fr P. Trujillo-Langdon Fr Harry Whitson RFr Joey Kuperman So Billy Shipman Jr Sam Ogee Fr Colin Goebel So Nick Enriquez Jr Weston Walker Sr Calvin Sandeen Jr Khaleel Jenkins Fr Logan Candelario Fr Zach Shallcross Fr Anthony Ayllon Jr Marcus Paige-Allen Jr Garrett Landress Fr Stephen Sippel Sr David Chellsen Fr Alex Egurbide RFr Zach Schottenfeld So Nicolas Marrone Fr Logan Mayes Sr Stephen Pyle Sr Reagan Enger So Victor Beglitsoff Fr Max Betkowski Jr Alex Vega Fr Zac Powell Sr Caleb Melton Jr Colin Dzubnar Jr Jacob Hanson Fr Nate Shipley Jr Tyler Alsey Sr Kelly Shepard Jr Andrew Hauser So Jason Patterson Jr Augustino Elisaia So

LB LB DL LB DL OL DL LB DL DL DL OL OL WR OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL QB OL OL OL DL OL OL OL WR K K DL K TE WR TE K LS DL DE DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

5-11 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-2 5-8 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-0

230 248 250 240 267 285 245 205 290 255 265 265 295 185 287 285 280 285 270 295 280 285 275 275 200 270 275 280 275 260 285 255 215 180 157 250 185 225 190 240 180 220 245 240 206 245 275 250 265 275 290

Sacramento, CA Sacramento, CA Anaheim, CA Fontana, CA Sacramento, CA Templeton, CA Stockton, CA Alamo, CA San Diego, CA San Luis Obispo, CA Ventura, CA Mission Viejo, CA Danville, CA Danville, CA San Ramon, CA Lytle Creek, CA Redondo Beach, CA San Diego, CA Valencia, CA Livermore, CA Lisle, IL Chino Hills, CA Atascadero, CA Windsor, CA San Diego, CA El Cajon, CA Anaheim, CA San Francisco, CA Sacramento, CA San Diego, CA Folsom, CA San Luis Obispo, CA Westlake Village, CA Coto de Caza, CA Clovis, CA Eugene, OR Austin, TX Bakersfield, CA Millbrae, CA San Francisco, CA Gilroy, CA Lompoc, CA Placerville, CA R.S. Margarita, CA San Diego, CA Longmont, CO Roseville, CA Arroyo Grande, CA West Covina, CA Santee, CA Union City, CA

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Cal Poly quarterback Chris Brown rushed for 1,265 yards and 17 touchdowns last fall.

B Y PA R K E R G A B R I E L

CHRONICLE SPORTS WRITER

TRIPLE THREAT

Cal Poly’s option attack sends Bobcats back to the defensive drawing board

n the spectrum of offensive philosophies, Eastern Washington and Cal Poly are located at nearly opposite ends. The Eagles scored eight times against Montana State a week ago, and never used more than five plays to find the end zone. It took EWU quarterback Jordan West 12 attempts to compile more passing yards than the Mustangs have through three games. Meanwhile, nearly 80 percent of Cal Poly

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first downs come on the ground. Head coach Tim Walsh’s team is averaging 71 rushing attempts and is third in the FCS at more than 321 yards per game. With that in mind, the Bobcats defense used the week to completely overhaul its game plan, responsibilities and techniques. “Every other opponent, our defense is tweaked a little, but that’s it,” senior defensive tackle and captain Taylor Sheridan said. “This is almost like a whole new

defense in a way.” Against the Mustangs’ triple option, all three levels have to work in concert to account for the dive, the quarterback keep and the pitch. Through the spring and fall camp, defensive line coach Bo Beck and co-defensive coordinator Kane Ioane installed a system that gave the front seven more freedom to operate. That goes out the window this week, however.

“All the way, it’s assignment football,” Beck said. “I’ve been telling people, back at Colorado State we played Air Force Academy and the rule was you couldn’t come off the field and say, ‘I thought I saw this,’ because you can’t think. You can’t let all the eye candy and motion and all that stuff pull you away from what your job is.” For the defensive line, that responsibility is largely to tackle H-back Joe Protheroe. The sophomore is averaging 24 carries and more than 90 yards per game. That task is complicated, however, by the trapping, crossing and cutting techniques the Cal Poly offensive line employs. “That’s old school option football. It’s physical now, too, and it sucks to get chopped all day long and tripped and the stuff that they do,” Beck said. “We’re going to take the theory, we read a book that (former MSU defensive lineman) Odin (Coe) gave us, a Navy SEAL book, that during their training you have to embrace the suck. We’re not going to bitch and moan about it.” Linebackers and defensive backs can sometimes be forced into having multiple assignments on the same play — for instance, tackle the pitch man on a running play, but cover a slot back on a pass — which is where

senior Mustangs quarterback Chris Brown will try to exploit mistakes. “I feel like that’s what this offense is invented for is to always catch somebody sleeping somewhere,” MSU senior cornerback Bryson Keeton said. “Whether it be the corner or the safety, all of a sudden the wing just takes off up the field. It’s easy to fall asleep; (the back) just takes tippy-toe steps, so you’re on to the next read and all of a sudden he’s running up the field. You really just have to stare your key down and double check it until you’re sure.” While option football can sometimes be about deception, often it’s just a numbers game. If Brown sees the defense lined up in a way that gives him an advantage to the left or right, he’ll take it. “Most of the time our plays are kind of adjusted to where I have one check,” he said. “We go over it during practice, and with the certain looks that we get, it’s pretty easy to see.” In his first two games calling plays, Ioane has used several different blitz concepts, employed no down linemen in some passing situations and has generally been aggressive. That style may be on a one-week hiatus. “(Brown’s) not a guy we’re going to try to

fool by any means because you can’t,” Ioane said. “He’s seen all the looks you could possibly see, and he’s going to make the adjustments. It’s just about execution, about getting off blocks and tackling.” Though the Mustangs have run the ball 84 percent of the time, MSU head coach Rob Ash called them “easily the most diverse” team in the Big Sky. “If you start to stop them in their base looks, they have a lot of things they can go to,” he added. “They dial up some pretty intriguing and tough passes, too, about the time you’ve got the run figured out.” Coaches and players all stressed the importance of forcing long-yardage situations on second and third downs — it’s the only way to force Cal Poly to abandon the run. If the Bobcats can’t do that, they may be in for more drives like the 17-play, 79-yard march Brown orchestrated over 8 minutes, 2 seconds against MSU last fall in San Luis Obispo. It culminated with a 2-yard scoring run for the quarterback and a 35-27 lead for the hosts in the waning minutes. “With our offense, that’s what we do,” Brown said. “It doesn’t really matter how many plays it takes to get there as long as we do and we finish.”

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Hutchins learning to adapt, excel after back surgery Olympic weightlifting and squats are out of the question. So, too, is gaining weight — it could further tax Zach Hutchins’ spine in the wake of last year’s surgery. He has shed about 30 pounds, which admittedly has curtailed the redshirt junior defensive end’s strength and ability to match wits with opponents on the front line. It is not all bad, though. “It sounds like a terrible excuse, and I tell my girlfriend this, but I can’t vacuum or sweep things because it puts me in an awkward spot,” he jokes. “It’s really nice to get out of chores, though.” The product of Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman also has experienced gains in flexibility and speed. And after a lengthy period marred by injury, he’s eager to play his first full season at a retooled bandit position where he can stand up, operate in space and be an asset instead of a liability. “It’s a blast to have the best spot on the field. I get a lot of freedom to make plays if I feel like I can get there,” he says.

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Hutchins finally feels like himself again, something he has not been able to declare in nearly two years. He awoke one Sunday morning during the height of spring practice in 2014 with intense pain coursing through his lower back. Hutchins struggled to leave bed. He struggled to tie his shoes. He struggled to comprehend just what was happening. He knew it was serious, but he initially chose to say nothing — even if it meant confronting occasional spells of numbness in his extremities. The Bobcats were dealing with a dearth of depth on the edge, and he was being counted on. After a redshirt Zach Hutchins, season and MSU bandit

being deemed ineligible in 2013 because of an unresolved academic issue related to switching majors, this was supposed to be his time. “After having that year taken away from him, he didn’t want to sit again,” position coach Bo Beck says. “He fought through it, which must’ve been tough. He’s always been a want-to guy, always been willing to do whatever it takes.” Hutchins headed home after classes concluded in early May to meet with an orthopedic surgeon. “He told me one of my discs was bulging, or it was ruptured,” Hutchins recalls.

“When I looked at the MRI, all the discs were white and the other one was boom, out the back and pinching off my spinal chord. “It was a pretty devastating blow. … I didn’t think I was going to play at all. I thought I was done for the year.” He could not help but be consumed with thoughts of the past. Of the eighth-grade teammate who broke his neck during a game. Of his father, Adam, a respected high school coach who was paralyzed from the waist down in an ATV accident. Such events weigh heavily on a person. “When it comes to the spinal chord, it’s always been something I’ve worried about. It’s something I would never want to have happen to me — I’ve seen how much adversity my dad has had to overcome,” Hutchins says. “They told me it was low enough to where I wouldn’t lose (function of) my legs if something were to really go wrong. It would be fine, so I figured the best thing for me would be

“There’s no way I’m going to outmuscle someone on the line now, but I don’t have to bury my head in a gap — I can read it, go over the top and really do whatever — and pass-rushing from space is always a lot nicer; I’ve got a 4-yard sprint at somebody before they can even move.” — Zach Hutchins to choose to keep going. … I didn’t want to give up on my teammates, on the coaches who made a commitment to me. I told them I wanted to play, and that was that.” Hutchins returned to Bozeman soon after his diagnosis, and a few weeks later underwent a discectomy to shave a portion of the perforated disc and alleviate the nerve pressure. He has been forced to adapt ever since. That has never been an issue, however, Beck says. “We really screwed him when he got here because we thought, ‘Well, shoot, we need linebackers,’ so we asked him to lose the weight and we switched him in rooms,” the coach adds. “All

spring long he thought he was going to play linebacker, then we said, ‘Hey, I guess we’re going to play this odd defense, so you need to put the weight back on.’ “It’s never been like, ‘What the hell’s going on?’ He gets it and understands the hybrid position is best for him. … I don’t know if it’s the Vegas lifestyle in him — the laid-back style — but he’s always been really coachable and will do anything you want him to do. Maybe that comes from being at Gorman and the history of that program, or from his dad, who’s a good guy and a smart coach.” Hutchins battled pain, but managed to make 10 appearances last fall, showing great

promise with 19 tackles and 1 ½ sacks. In recent months, he’s committed to a unique exercise regimen and to reinventing his game. He once played with force, not finesse, and prided himself on being a hard hitter, fearlessly plugging holes and being the toughest player on the field at Gorman. “There’s no way I’m going to outmuscle someone on the line now,” he says, “but I don’t have to bury my head in a gap — I can read it, go over the top and really do whatever — and passrushing from space is always a lot nicer; I’ve got a 4-yard sprint at somebody before they can even move.” It’s been a long and often frustrating process, one that included a nagging shoulder injury during fall camp, but Hutchins says he is healthy and motivated. He’s eager to prove it. “It’s great to say my back is all healed up,” he says. “I think the staff has put me in a position where I can play the way I want to, the way I know I can.”

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FIELD PASS 2015

FIVE Lucas Clark covers Cal Poly for the San Luis Obispo Tribune and answered five questions from the Daily Chronicle about how the No. 20 Mustangs match up with No. 15 Montana State this week.

Joe Protheroe had a few carries last year but has really burst onto the scene early this season. What about his game fits the Cal Poly offense, and what’s made him so effective through three games? Joe Protheroe has been a breakout star at a position that was somewhat of a question mark coming into the season. Cal Poly had to replace 900-yard rusher Brandon Howe, and Protheroe has made a seamless transition into that role. He loves to run north and south and has a big body capable of shouldering 20-plus carries per game. That makes him a great addition to a Mustangs backfield that returned two 1,000-yard rushers in Kori Garcia and Chris Brown. With defenses keying on those two, Protheroe has been able to make his living between the tackles.

Q UESTIONS

Cal Poly has played a tough schedule so far — at Montana (W, 20-19), at Arizona State (L, 35-21) and against Northern Iowa (L, 3420). Is it clear how good this team is or how good it can be? Head coach Tim Walsh said before the season this is the toughest schedule Cal Poly has played since he took over seven years ago. Beating a confident Montana team on the road and staying even with Arizona State for the better part of three quarters showed what Cal Poly’s triple-option offense can do to opponents. That said, the Mustangs were humbled in the first quarter against Northern Iowa, which raced out to a 21-0 lead with relative ease. It’s tough to say where this team will end up eight weeks from now. Making the postseason is one of the Mustangs’ goals, and they’ll need to avoid big early deficits to keep the playoffs within reach.

What’s the process been like trying to replace linebacker Nick Dzubnar on defense, and how has

the unit played against a series of talented offenses? If you eliminate the first-quarter miscues against Northern Iowa, the Cal Poly defense has certainly surpassed expectations through the first three games. No one player will replace the production of Nick Dzubnar, who set the school single-season record for tackles in 2014 with 167. When the Mustangs have been successful, they’ve kept the ball in front of the secondary to limit big plays and rallied to the ball. Linebackers Tu’Uta Inoke, R.J. Mazolewski, Joseph Gigantino III and Burton De Koning have all been steady, but consistently containing Montana State’s Dakota Prukop might be their biggest challenge so far.

variety. That said, slotback DJ Peluso, a junior transfer from College of San Mateo, had his best game of the season last week against UNI. He’s a dynamic, tough player who I think will only become more involved as the season continues. Defensively, junior safety B.J. Nard is off to a great start. After missing four years with injuries, Nard had three interceptions in his first game back against Montana and has led Cal Poly in tackles each of the past two games.

Most important, are you sick of Montana yet? Two trips in the first month is a heavy workload.

Who’s a player that might not be well known, but Bobcats fans should keep an eye on Saturday?

Well, I’m from Oregon so I really enjoyed my trip to Missoula earlier this month. I had never been and was pleasantly surprised. It reminded me a lot of home. We’re spoiled by the weather here in San Luis Obispo, so I’ll be a little more prepared for a cool breeze this time around.

That’s a good question. It’s tough to pick one on offense because the triple option doesn’t exactly offer a lot of

You can follow Lucas on Twitter at @LucasClark_SLO for all of the latest on Cal Poly Mustangs football.

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S E L A C S E H T G N I TIPP WHEN CAL POLY HAS THE BALL

WHEN MONTANA STATE HAS THE BALL

Each time the Mustangs start a drive, they’re trying to keep the ball for an extended period of time. Montana State offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey recently said his perfect drive would be to score a touchdown on the first play and get off the field. While Cal Poly head coach Tim Walsh wouldn’t say no to quick points, the Mustangs like to inflict a little damage — and a heaping dose of frustration — on their way down the field. “These guys take pride in getting 4 yards on first down, 4 yards on second down, 4 yards on third down and now they’ve got a first down and they’re rocking and rolling,” MSU co-defensive coordinator Kane Ioane said. Added senior defensive tackle Taylor Sheridan: “It’s incredibly frustrating, especially when you get them to fourth down and then they gear up with the exact same thing, and just one person misses one little thing and it’s a first down again.” On five touchdown drives in a 35-27 win over the Bobcats a year ago, the Mustangs averaged 12 plays, 81 yards and 4 minutes, 52 seconds; that includes a two-play, 27-second possession. This year, offensive coordinator Saga Tuitele’s unit averages 321 rushing yards per game, tops in the conference and third-best in the FCS. The well-choreographed attack begins with senior quarterback Chris Brown’s ability to stay loyal to his option reads. Whether he ends up keeping the ball, handing it to H-back Joe Protheroe or pitching it to slot back Kori Garcia, the effectiveness of each play is often dictated by whether Brown makes his first decision correctly. “He’s extremely athletic, he runs their offense exactly how you’re supposed to as an option quarterback, and he still has the ability to hurt you with his arm when they do go play-action and throw the ball down the field,” MSU head coach Rob Ash said of Brown, who is second in the Big Sky in rushing — behind Dakota Prukop — at 113 yards per game. The Mustangs haven’t thrown the ball down the field much — Brown is 20 of 41 for 179 yards on the season, with a long completion of 36 — but the threat is always lurking. Still, when the run game is operating as designed, Cal Poly doesn’t need to put the ball in the air. Incremental gains work just fine, and often there’s no reason to risk getting off schedule and winding up in a long-yardage situation. “We just want to get the ball to the offense,” Sheridan said. “None of us would care how many plays we’re out there — we’re all conditioned to play 20 in a row — but it’s just so frustrating when we know we have so many guys that can score just sitting over there waiting.” — Parker Gabriel

They ran 104 plays, logged 718 yards and a school-record 40 first downs and eclipsed 50 points for the fifth time in the past 15 games. Their quarterback produced the program’s second-best total-offense tally and a few highlight-reel-caliber plays that no doubt will be hard for Walter Payton Award voters to ignore. It still wasn’t enough. “The approach we have in this program is that wasn’t enough offense and it wasn’t enough points — that’s the bottom line,” head coach Rob Ash said Saturday. “Whether we should’ve held them to less or scored more is not really what we’re going to talk about.” Added offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey on Tuesday, “The tempo of the game, I thought we did a good job — there were times we played fast and times we played under control and that type of stuff — but to me, I still think tempo and time of possession doesn’t mean anything. They had 55 and we had 50.” Time of possession should mean something today, however. The Mustangs’ vaunted triple option is predicated on sustaining drives — they converted 10 of 17 third downs and controlled the ball for 34 minutes, 23 seconds in last year’s 35-27 win in San Luis Obispo. That means fewer opportunities for Dakota Prukop and company, who are tops in scoring (47.5) and second in total offense (570) as they prepare for their Big Sky opener. Although they averaged more than 7 yards per snap against Cal Poly, the Bobcats ran just 65 plays. “Their defense matches their offense in terms of strategies — they’re very solid and sound and they don’t allow big plays,” Ash said. “And so they get you into long drives that they produce and long drives that you have to produce, and they shorten the game.” The Mustangs are 12th out of 13 in total defense (475.7) and have allowed 12 touchdowns through three games. It’s imperative, however, to consider they’ve played one of the FCS’ toughest schedules — against Montana, Arizona State and Northern Iowa — and are working to replace some key pieces on defense. None are bigger than prolific linebackers Nick Dzubnar and Cameron Ontko, who both logged more than 100 tackles last fall. Dzubnar, who finished with a programrecord 167, parlayed his production into a roster spot with the San Diego Chargers. Cramsey knows the players remaining — among them safety B.J. Nard, who picked off three passes against the Grizzlies — will present a stern challenge. “They’re Cal Poly. They’re smart, they play hard, they’re physical,” he said. Adding running back Chad Newell, “I think they’ve done a good job replacing the guys they had there. … We’re in for a fight.” — Jon Maletz

THE BOTTOM LINE This matchup, the only one in the country this weekend pairing top-25 programs, will showcase contrasting styles. The Bobcats want to push the tempo, score fast and dare the Mustangs to keep pace. Cal Poly will try to limit the number of possessions for each team and methodically move the ball.

The head coaches traded platitudes during the week, with Rob Ash calling the Mustangs the most diverse offense in the league and Tim Walsh declaring Dakota Prukop one of the best players in the country. As for the deciding factor, it’s hard to bet against MSU’s junior signal caller at home. He no doubt is bitter and determined after last week’s

MONTANA STATE 31, CAL POLY 24

JON MALETZ

loss to Eastern Washington and last season’s trip to San Luis Obispo, which similarly concluded with an interception. The Bobcats are a desperate team that can ill afford a conference-opening loss and second consecutive defeat with the season’s longest road trip looming. They can ill afford a defensive effort like the one that cost them in Cheney, either.

MONTANA STATE 38, CAL POLY 28

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FIELD Cal Poly (1-2) at Montana State (1-1), 1:35 p.m., Bozeman

1 3

Northern Arizona (2-1) at Montana (1-2), 2 p.m., Missoula

The Mustangs return to Montana for the first time since outlasting the Griz, 20-19, on a late field goal in Sept. 5’s season opener in Missoula. Cal Poly is third in the nation and first in the Big Sky in rushing offense (321.3); the Bobcats are second (264), and quarterback Dakota Prukop is second in the country in total offense (407.5) after producing 549 yards in last week’s loss at Eastern Washington. Last Meeting: Cal Poly 35, Montana State 27 (2014)

UC Davis (0-3) at North Dakota (2-1), 12:35 p.m., Grand Forks The Aggies are 0-2 against teams from the Mountain West, while North Dakota is 1-0 against the conference after topping Wyoming in its season opener. UND is 1-0 at home after last week’s three-point win over Drake, and is ranked first in rushing defense (60.7 yards) and second in the Big Sky in scoring defense, allowing less than 22 points per game. The Aggies lead the league in time of possession (35:06) and are tied with Southern Utah in red zone efficiency, converting all eight opportunities (five touchdowns, three field goals). Last meeting: UC Davis 34, North Dakota 18 (2013)

The Vikings have been ranked in the national polls for three consecutive weeks after upsetting the Pac-12’s Washington State in their opener. PSU leads the Big Sky in scoring defense (15.5), total defense (326.5) and turnover margin. Western offensive coordinator Brian Harris is a former running backs coach with the Vikings who graduated from the school in 2000. Head Coach Arne Ferguson is a former Western player now in his 11th season at the helm of his alma mater. Last meeting: Portland State 45, Western Oregon 38 (2014)

ND ROU

Brevard College (0-3) at So. Utah (1-2), 6 p.m., Cedar City

THE

Thunderbirds linebacker Mike Needham intercepted two passes against Northern Colorado, including one he returned for a score. SUU leads the conference with six picks, and quarterback Ammon Olson rushed for two scores in last week’s triumph against the Bears.

Weber State (1-2) at Northern Colorado (2-1), 1:35 p.m., Greeley Wildcats kicker Josh Kealamakia was 4 for 4 in last week’s nonconference victory over Sacramento State, a game in which safety Jawain Harrison picked off three Hornets passes. For their efforts, the teammates won ROOT Sports Player of the Week awards. Weber State’s only home win last season came against the Bears. Three of UNC’s first four drives ended in turnovers in last week’s 30-3 loss to Southern Utah, although it did outgain the Thunderbirds. Last meeting: Weber State 34, Northern Colorado 21 (2014)

Western Oregon (1-2) at Portland State (2-0), 4:05 p.m., Portland

Lumberjacks head coach Jerome Souers returns to Missoula, where he was a Grizzlies assistant from 1986-97. His squad will square off with a Montana team that has dropped two straight and likely will be without starter Brady Gustavsen, who was injured in last week’s 31-21 loss at Liberty. In Gustavsen’s absence, Chad Chalich passed for 228 yards and one touchdown for the Grizzlies, who are third in the conference in total offense (435.3); NAU is fourth (425.3). Lumberjacks kicker Ryan Hawkins has made six consecutive field goals to open the season. Last meeting: Northern Arizona 34, Montana 16 (2013)

E. Washington (1-2) at Sacramento State (1-2), 8:05 p.m., Sacramento Eagles head coach Beau Baldwin and Hornets head man Jody Sears worked in Cheney under Paul Wulff from 200306. Sacramento State linebacker Darnell Sankey registered a program-record 27 tackles in a loss to Weber State. Last week, Eastern quarterback Jordan West established a school-record efficiency rating of 313.5. Last meeting: Eastern Washington 31, Sacramento State 28 (2012)

Idaho State (1-2) at UNLV (0-3), 8 p.m., Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebels head coach Tony Sanchez was most recently a head coach at Bishop Gorman High School in Vegas, where he led the Gaels to an undefeated 2014 season and a mythical national championship. The Bengals are 0-1 against the Mountain West after last week’s 52-0 loss to Boise State, but boast the top pass defense (147.3) in the Big Sky. They are also the least penalized squad. Last meeting: UNLV 45, Idaho State 10 (2006).