Cal Poly Rushes for 323 Yards But Lose 35-21 to the Devils

Mike Stockman
Copyright 2015 Phoenix Area Sports
(Photography provided by Jacob M Cutler)

TEMPE, ARIZONA (September 12, 2015) Cal Poly Mustangs' rushing attack surprised the Arizona State University Sun Devils by gaining 323 yards, but the Mustangs couldn't hold on for the upset. Tied at 21-21 with less than eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Devils added two touchdowns to pull ahead in their home opener to win 35 -21 in the first meeting against the Mustangs on Saturday, September 12 at Frank Kush Stadium.



Kody Kohl makes game changing touchdown catch with defender on his back.


The game started as most expected, the Devils took the lead 14-0 early in the second quarter. However the Mustangs, with a triple option threat, drove 64 yards in eight plays and scored on a pounding, up-the-middle run by Joe Protheroe. Protheroe would end the night with 130 net yards rushing, one touchdown, and an average of 4.6 yards per carry for the Mustangs, a Big Sky Conference member.

On the next play, Devils' junior De'Chavon Hayes takes the kick-off 57 yards, setting up the Devils in great field position on the Mustangs' side of the 50 yard line.  The Devils finished the drive with a six yard run, the first of two Demario Richard touchdowns, making the score 21-7.

Once again, most of the fans thought the Mustangs would roll over and the score would get out of hand. 



Mustang running back Joe Protheroe dives over goal line for score

This would not be the case for the Mustangs, who are in their 97th season of football. With :13 seconds left in the first half, Mustang quarterback Chris Brown scored on a one yard quarterback sneak, bringing the Mustangs within seven points. On the first drive of the second half, the Mustangs tied the game with a 21 yard touchdown pass from Chris Brown to Reagan Enger.

It wasn't until the fourth quarter with 7:36 left on the clock that the Devils were able to score the go-ahead touchdown on a 10 yard game-changing pass from Mike Bercovici to Kody Kohl. Bercovici completed his third touchdown pass to Tim White with 1:59 on the clock putting the final score at 35-21.

 

Cal Poly's home opener against Northern Iowa is Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m.

The Devils host the New Mexico Lobos in Tempe, AZ on Friday, September 18 at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on the PAC-12 Network.