2023 Cal Poly Mustangs football team

2023 Cal Poly Mustangs football
2023 Cal Poly Mustangs football
Conference	Big Sky Conference
Record	3–8 (1–7 Big Sky)
Head coach	Paul Wulff (1st season);
Offensive coordinator	Sheldon Cross (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Will Plemons (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Cody Von Appen (2nd season)
Home stadium	Mustang Memorial Field
	Seasons ← 2022 2024 →

2023 Big Sky Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 2 Montana $^	7	–	1	13	–	2
No. 8 Idaho ^	6	–	2	9	–	4
No. 9 Montana State ^	6	–	2	8	–	4
Northern Arizona	5	–	3	5	–	6
No. 24 UC Davis	5	–	3	7	–	4
No. 13 Sacramento State ^	4	–	4	8	–	5
Portland State	4	–	4	5	–	6
Weber State	4	–	4	6	–	5
Eastern Washington	3	–	5	4	–	7
Idaho State	3	–	5	3	–	8
Cal Poly	1	–	7	3	–	8
Northern Colorado	0	–	8	0	–	11

$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2023 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo as member of the Big Sky Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led first-year head coach Paul Wulff, the Mustangs compiled an overall record of 3–8 with a mark of 1–7 in conference play, placing 11th in the Big Sky. Cal poly played home games at Mustang Stadium in San Luis Obispo, California.

Preseason

Polls

On July 23, 2023, during the virtual Big Sky Kickoff, the Mustangs were predicted to finish eleventh in the Big Sky by both the coaches and media.^[1]

Coaches poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Montana State	120 (10)
2	UC Davis	96 (1)
3	Sacramento State	94 (1)
4	Weber State	91
5	Idaho	89
6	Montana	84
7	Eastern Washington	52
8	Portland State	45
9	Northern Arizona	44
10	Northern Colorado	37
11	Cal Poly	25
12	Idaho State	15

Media poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Montana State	447 (26)
2	Idaho	410 (8)
3	Montana	359 (2)
4	Sacramento State	334 (3)
5	UC Davis	330
6	Weber State	320
7	Eastern Washington	216
8	Northern Arizona	178
9	Portland State	167
10	Northern Colorado	109
11	Cal Poly	103
12	Idaho State	69

Preseason All–Big Sky team

The Mustangs had one player selected to the preseason all-Big Sky team.^[2]

Defense

David Meyer – LB

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	3:00 p.m.	San Diego*	Mustang Memorial Field San Luis Obispo, CA	ESPN+	W 27–10	6,248
September 9	1:00 p.m.	at San Jose State*	CEFCU Stadium San Jose, CA	NBCSBA	L 3–59	14,224
September 16	5:05 p.m.	Lincoln (CA)*	Mustang Memorial Field San Luis Obispo, CA	ESPN+	W 41–20	9,238
September 23	1:00 p.m.	at Portland State	Hillsboro Stadium Hillsboro, OR	ESPN+	L 21–59	1,672
September 30	5:05 p.m.	No. 21 UC Davis	Mustang Memorial Field San Luis Obispo, CA (Battle for the Golden Horseshoe)	ESPN+	L 13–31	8,744
October 7	5:05 p.m.	at No. 3 Idaho	Mustang Memorial Field San Luis Obispo, CA	ESPN+	L 14–42	6,028
October 14	5:00 p.m.	at No. 2 Montana State	Bobcat Stadium Bozeman, MT	ESPN+	L 19–59	21,997
October 21	5:05 p.m.	Northern Colorado	Mustang Memorial Field San Luis Obispo, CA	ESPN+	W 24–17	9,263
November 4	1:00 p.m.	at Eastern Washington	Roos Field Cheney, WA	ESPN+	L 13–48	4,345
November 11	2:00 p.m.	at No. 9 Sacramento State	Hornet Stadium Sacramento, CA	ESPN+	L 30–41	12,022
November 18	5:05 p.m.	Weber State	Mustang Memorial Field San Luis Obispo, CA	ESPN+	L 21–48	4,829
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Pacific time

^[3]^[4]

Game summaries

At San Jose State

Pregame line	Over/under	Win prob.
SJSU -23.5	60	SJSU 88.4%

Cal Poly Mustangs (1–0) at San Jose State Spartans (0–2)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Mustangs	0	3	0	0	3
Spartans	17	21	21	0	59

at CEFCU Stadium, San Jose, CA

Date: September 9, 2023
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game attendance: 14,224
TV: NBCSBA

Game information
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

Statistics	CP	SJSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Cal Poly	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SJSU	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

No. 3 Idaho

No. 3 Idaho Vandals (4–1) at Cal Poly Mustangs (2–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 3 Vandals	7	21	7	7	42
Mustangs	0	7	0	7	14

at Mustang Memorial Field • San Luis Obispo, CA

Date: October 7, 2023
Game time: 5:00 p.m. PDT
Game attendance: 6,028
TV: ESPN+

At No. 9 Sacramento State

Cal Poly Mustangs (3–6) at No. 9 Sacramento State Hornets (6–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Mustangs	10	13	7	0	30
No. 9 Hornets	14	17	7	3	41

at Hornet Stadium, Sacramento, CA

Date: November 11, 2023
Game time: 2:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C) • NW 3 mph • Sunny
Game attendance: 12,022
Referee: Kelly Holman
TV announcers (KMAX-TV/ESPN+): Play-by-Play: Jason Ross • Analysis: Darren Arbet

Game information

First Quarter

(10:14) CP – Noah Serna 26-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:43; Cal Poly 3–0)
(7:55) SAC – Elijah Tau-Tolliver 34-yard run (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 2:12; Sacramento State 7–3)
(5:41) SAC – Devin Gandy 7-yard pass from Carson Conklin (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 66 yards, 1:10; Sacramento State 14–3)
(2:37) CP – Michael Briscoe 29-yard pass from Sam Huard (Noah Serna kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:04; Sacramento State 14–10)

Second Quarter

(8:27) CP – Noah Serna 44-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 4:17; Sacramento State 14–13)
(6:27) SAC – Marshel Martin 39-yard pass from Carson Conklin (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 54 yards, 1:38; Sacramento State 21–13)
(2:27) SAC – Carlos Hill 15-yard pass from Carson Conklin (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:10; Sacramento State 28–13)
(1:39) CP – Michael Briscoe 52-yard pass from Sam Huard (Noah Serna kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 0:42; Sacramento State 28–20)
(0:18) CP – Noah Serna 23-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 0:52; Sacramento State 28–23)
(0:00) SAC – Zach Schreiner 32-yard field goal (Drive: 2 plays, 47 yards, 0:12; Sacramento State 31–23)

Third Quarter

(11:13) SAC – Elijah Tau-Tolliver 4-yard run (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 1 play, 4 yards, 0:04; Sacramento State 38–23)
(3:27) CP – Paul Holyfield Jr. 3-yard run (Noah Serna kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:04; Sacramento State 38–30)

Fourth Quarter

(12:28) SAC – Zach Schreiner 22-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:54; Sacramento State 41–30)

Line

SAC –29.5

Over/Under

60.5

Statistics	CP	SAC
First downs	24	23
Total yards	539	538
Rushing yards	45	225
Passing yards	494	313
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	38–59–2	17–26–1
Time of possession	29:37	30:23

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Cal Poly	Passing	Sam Huard	37/58, 483 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Paul Holyfield Jr.	7 carries, 27 yards, TD
	Receiving	Michael Briscoe	3 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD
Sacramento State	Passing	Carson Conklin	17/26, 313 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Marcus Fulcher	20 carries, 121 yards
	Receiving	Jared Gipson	5 receptions, 154 yards

Roster

2023 Cal Poly Mustangs football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
WR	`0`	Logan Booher	So
QB	`1`	Kahliq Paulette	So
WR	`2`	Giancarlo Woods	Jr
QB	`3`	Bo Kelly	Fr
RB	`4`	Mark Biggins	Sr
RB	`5`	Aiden Ramos	Fr
WR	`6`	Tyrece Fairly-Diyem	Fr
QB	`7`	Sam Huard	So
RB	`8`	Shakobe Harper	Sr
WR	`9`	Evan Burkhart	Jr
WR	`10`	Michael Briscoe	So
QB	`11`	Jaden Jones	So
WR	`12`	Makhi Johnson	Fr
QB	`13`	Spencer Brasch	Sr
QB	`14`	Dieter Barr	Fr
WR	`15`	Jake Woods	So
WR	`17`	Bryson Allen	Sr
QB	`18`	Colby White	Fr
RB	`19`	Zion Hall	So
WR	`20`	Dominique Thompson	Sr
RB	`21`	Troy Fletcher	Fr
RB	`22`	Paul Holyfield Jr.	Fr
WR	`23`	Budha Boyd	Fr
WR	`24`	Reed Shumpert	So
WR	`27`	Ben Martin	So
WR	`31`	Nolan Cummings	Fr
RB	`34`	Kendric Sanders	Fr
WR	`37`	Colin Guenther	Fr
TE	`40`	Aidan Scott	Fr
WR	`42`	Zach Diebner	Fr
OL	`52`	Payson Campisano	Sr
OL	`54`	Hayden Jones	Fr
OL	`55`	Keith Marco	So
OL	`56`	Jake Trachtman	So
OL	`57`	Ava Leota	So
OL	`58`	Garrett Weichman	GS
OL	`59`	Tyler Charbonneau	So
OL	`61`	Ethan Bronson	Jr
OL	`62`	Hunter Jones	Sr
OL	`65`	Kavika Fitisemanu	Fr
OL	`70`	Jack Perra	Fr
OL	`71`	Charles Lincoln	Sr
OL	`72`	Austin Anderson	Jr
OL	`73`	Brady Norton	Fr
OL	`74`	Jasdev Banwait	Fr
OL	`75`	Tanner Hirschler	Fr
OL	`76`	Vatulele Finau	Sr
OL	`77`	Jayden Smith	Fr
OL	`78`	Racin Delgatty	Fr
OL	`79`	Miles Medina	Fr
TE	`80`	Carlton Brown	So
TE	`81`	Alex Grywalski	Fr
WR	`82`	Jordan Garrison	Fr
WR	`83`	Joey Villaroman	Fr
TE	`84`	DeMarcus Oandasan	Jr
WR	`85`	Eddy Schultz	Fr
WR	`86`	Dalton Bailey	So
WR	`87`	Brooks Wheatley	Fr
TE	`88`	Jace Yerty	Fr
TE	`89`	Tyler Hoffman	Fr
WR		Thomas Hartanov	Fr
WR		Kian Salehi	Fr

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
S	`0`	Chris Snyder	Fr
CB	`1`	Delano Franklin	Fr
LB	`2`	Michael Otterstedt	So
LB	`3`	Ethan Calvert	So
DB	`4`	Kai Rapolla	Fr
LB	`5`	Je'kob Jones	So
CB	`6`	Xavier Oliphant	Jr
S	`7`	Jake East	Fr
S	`8`	DeMel Turner	Fr
S	`9`	Brian Dukes Jr.	So
LB	`10`	David Meyer	Jr
S	`11`	Dominic McCormack	Jr
CB	`12`	Donovan Saunders	So
CB	`13`	Kresean Kizzy	Fr
DL	`14`	Elijah Ponder	Jr
DE	`15`	Robbie Greer	Jr
LB	`20`	Kenny Olson	Fr
CB	`22`	Christian Middleton	So
DB	`23`	Budha Boyd	Fr
S	`25`	Jeremy Justice	Jr
CB	`26`	Tayden Phillips	Fr
S	`27`	Troy Bean	Fr
LB	`28`	Charlie Sullivan	Fr
CB	`29`	Jamauri Jackson	So
CB	`30`	Boston Wilson	Fr
S	`32`	Mason Rivera	So
LB	`33`	Grady Liddell	Jr
S	`36`	Thomas McNamara	So
LB	`43`	Judaea Moon	Sr
LB	`44`	Carson Jones	Fr
LB	`47`	Connor Heffler	Jr
LB	`48`	Drew Sulick	So
DL	`49`	Julius Jordan	Fr
LB	`51`	Reed Mercer	Jr
DL	`53`	Nilasoni Finau	Fr
DL	`55`	Zachary Denis	Fr
DL	`58`	Thomas Bouda	So
DL	`60`	Ethan Rodriguez	Jr
DL	`64`	Mason Barbour	So
DL	`88`	Jordan Sanders	Fr
DT	`90`	Marquise Jones	Fr
DE	`91`	Pasefika Salatielu	Fr
DL	`92`	Ian Don	Jr
DL	`93`	Su'e Luamanu	Fr
DL	`94`	Ish Taliauli	Fr
DL	`95`	Antonio Vakameilalo	Jr
DL	`97`	Elijah Satcher	So
DL	`98`	John Smolenski	Jr
DL	`99`	Josh Ngaluafe	Jr

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
P	`35`	Jesse Ehrlich	Fr
K	`38`	Noah Serna	Fr
LS	`39`	Cruz Rubio	Jr
K	`41`	Leo Valencia	Fr
P	`46`	Ryan Collins	So
LS	`51`	Reed Mercer	Jr
PK	`63`	Kevin Ryan	So
K	`67`	Jaden Ohlsen	Jr
LS	`89`	Tyler Hoffman	Fr

Head coach

Paul Wulff

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Sheldon Cross (Offensive Coordinator / Running backs)
Erik Meyer (Passing Game coordinator / Quarterbacks)
Casey Petree (Co-Special Teams coordinator / Tight ends)
Ryan Payne (Run Game coordinator / Offensive line)
Will Plemons (Co-Defensive coordinator / Defensive line)
Josh Letuligasenoa (Defense)
Cody vonAppen (Co-Defensive coordinator / Safeties)
Asa Jackson (Wide receivers)
Jake Casteel (Linebackers)
Brandyn Thompson (Cornerbacks)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

Roster
Last update: August 29, 2023

References

^ "Montana State Tabbed Preseason Football Favorites". July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
^ "Meyer Selected to Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team". July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
^ "Cal Poly Mustangs Schedule 2023". ESPN. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
^ "2023 Cal Poly Football Schedule". Cal Poly Athletics. Retrieved September 28, 2024.

[1] "Montana State Tabbed Preseason Football Favorites". July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2023.

[2] "Meyer Selected to Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team". July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.

[3] "Cal Poly Mustangs Schedule 2023". ESPN. Retrieved September 28, 2024.

[4] "2023 Cal Poly Football Schedule". Cal Poly Athletics. Retrieved September 28, 2024.

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v t e Cal Poly Mustangs football
Venues	Alex G. Spanos Stadium (1935–present)
Bowls & rivalries	UC Davis: Battle for the Golden Horseshoe
Culture & lore	Musty the Mustang "Ride High You Mustangs" Mustang Band Cal Poly football team C-46 crash
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
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National championship seasons in bold