Matchup to watch: Cal Poly’s Joe Protheroe vs. San Diego’s Jonah Hodges

Cal Poly’s triple-option offense is designed to take what the defense allows, and last week against Nevada, that meant a heavy dose of fullback Joe Protheroe and quarterback Dano Graves.

With the Wolf Pack making a point to limit the Mustangs’ rushing opportunities on the perimeter, Protheroe continually gashed the front seven to the tune of 27 carries for 119 yards and a 28-yard touchdown run.

It was a performance that’s become typical of the 6-foot, 225-pound Protheroe since he stepped in as the full-time starter last fall. The preseason All-American’s fifth 100-yard rushing effort of his career could have been a bit of foreshadowing for what’s to come this year.

“If teams are going to make us play a fullback-quarterback game,” head coach Tim Walsh said, “we may not make the 70-yard plays that get us the opportunity to score 40 points, but it’s going to give us the opportunity to play defense, get off the field, control the clock and frustrate the team.”

San Diego leaned on fifth-year senior running back Jonah Hodges in a similar fashion last week against Western New Mexico.

The former transfer from Cal tallied 16 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns — an average of nearly 7 yards per rush — and also caught six passes for 53 more yards.

It had to be an encouraging sign for the 5-9, 194-pound Hodges after he missed almost all of the 2015 season with a broken collarbone.

Fourth-year San Diego head coach Dale Lindsey said he wants to see a more consistent effort from the Toreros early on Saturday, while making sure Hodges remains the focal point offensively.

“We’ve got to use him a little bit more in the passing game,” Lindsey said. “I like him as a receiver, too.”

This story was originally published September 9, 2016 at 10:19 PM with the headline "Matchup to watch: Cal Poly’s Joe Protheroe vs. San Diego’s Jonah Hodges."