No. 21 Cal Poly football takes on Northern Colorado with playoff berth at stake

Cal Poly senior running back Kori Garcia can still remember what it felt like to be a true freshman five years ago, watching his older teammates navigate a nine-win season that ended in the first round of the FCS playoffs against Sam Houston State.

Garcia and the 10 other members of the original 2012 recruiting class who stuck with the program for five seasons are currently in a position to recapture some of the postseason magic that’s eluded the team over the past four years.

Ranked in the STATS FCS top 25 for the eighth straight week, Cal Poly has one final regular season hurdle to clear when surging Northern Colorado visits Alex G. Spanos Stadium at 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

Despite back-to-back losses against Eastern Washington and Weber State, the Mustangs (6-4 overall, 4-3 Big Sky Conference) remain in postseason contention and could potentially host a first-round playoff game with a win over the Bears.

“Most teams don’t get three chances to get into the playoffs,” said Garcia, who ranks sixth in program history with 2,782 career rushing yards. “So we’ll definitely take the opportunity.”

In what will already be an emotional night for Cal Poly’s now 18-member senior class, which will be honored during a pregame ceremony, the Mustangs are focused on establishing the offensive rhythm that has sputtered at times over the past month.

Having scored 21 points or less in three of its last four games — 13 points below its season average — Cal Poly hasn’t looked like the same team that beat top-10 teams South Dakota State and Montana in September. Of course, injuries have played into the regression, most recently with a knee injury to explosive junior running back Kyle Lewis.

That’s left fullback Joe Protheroe to do most of the heavy lifting, and he leads the Big Sky in rushing with 1,102 yards and 10 touchdowns. Garcia has rushed for 746 yards and four touchdowns, and quarterback Dano Graves has rushed for 537 yards and eight scores.

Graves has been a dynamic offensive leader for most of the season, but he hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in three of the last four games as Cal Poly’s attack has become more one-sided.

“They’ve got to find that energy and that excitement to play again,” head coach Tim Walsh said. “When we play fast, we’re good. When we can’t get into a fast, good rhythm, we struggle.”

Meanwhile, Northern Colorado (6-4, 4-3 Big Sky) is coming off its first win over Montana in 40 years last week and it hopes to remain in the playoff conversation with a potential 7-4 overall finish.

Senior quarterback Kyle Sloter has completed more than 62 percent of his passes for 2,227 yards and 23 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Sloter’s pass efficiency rating of 150.5 ranks third in the conference behind Graves (180.5) and Eastern Washington’s Gage Gubrud (173.9).

Running back Trae Riek (686 yards rushing, three touchdowns) and wide receiver Stephen Miller (835 yards, three touchdowns) have been two of the Bears most productive players during the second half of the season.

“I really think they may be, overall, the most athletic team in the Big Sky this year,” Walsh said.

Ultimately, Saturday’s outcome will likely be determined by effort and execution, rather than Xs and Os.

For Cal Poly, the stakes are simple. Win and a playoff berth could be within reach. Lose, and those hopes will officially be dashed.

How does the senior class want to be remembered?

“Now, this is our fifth year and we’re coming to our last regular season game not knowing if we’re going to make the playoffs or not, so it could be our last game,” senior defensive end Josh Letuligasenoa said. “I think emotions are going to be running high, but I think it’s going to be good fuel for everybody.”

This story was originally published November 18, 2016 at 2:21 PM with the headline "No. 21 Cal Poly football takes on Northern Colorado with playoff berth at stake."