Montana State sends Cal Poly to fifth-straight loss as quarterback injuries pile up
Cal Poly suffered its fifth-straight defeat Saturday afternoon at Montana State, as the Mustangs saw injuries on both sides of the ball and a freshman quarterback made his collegiate debut.
The Mustangs (1-5, 0-3 Big Sky) fell to the Bobcats (5-1, 3-0) 45-7 inside Bobcat Stadium in front of a homecoming crowd of 19,847.
The Bobcats totaled 441 total yards and 24 first downs, while the Mustangs produced 264 yards and 15 first downs. Cal Poly has been held to one touchdown in each of its three conference games. In Big Sky play, the Mustangs have given up 122 points.
During the nine games Coach Beau Baldwin has led the Mustangs, eight quarterbacks have played.
Two quarterbacks took the field Saturday, as redshirt freshman Jackson Pavitt made his second start and freshman Jaden Jones made his collegiate debut.
Jones rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries and completed four of 13 passes for 24 yards.
Cal Poly lost three key players out of the gate. Offensive lineman Vatulele Finau and linebacker Judaea Moon were injured during the first quarter, and linebacker Laipeli Palu was disqualified for targeting.
Wide receivers Chris Coleman and Michael Roth were out due to injury.
The Bobcats were first on the scoreboard as McKay threw a 9-yard pass to Treyton Pickering for a touchdown.
Montana State dominated Cal Poly in the second quarter. Isaiah Ifanse scored two touchdowns – one on a 7-yard run and another on a 1-yard carry.
The Bobcats’ backup quarterback Tommy Mellott brought the ball down the field on a 74-yard run. Ifanse scored a third touchdown on a 12-yard pass from McKay, bringing the contest to 35-0 at halftime.
The second half began with another Montana State score: Callahan O’Reilly returned an interception 39 yards.
With Montana State up 42-0, Cal Poly running back Shakobe Harper scored his third touchdown of the season on an 17-yard run, ending a 46-yard drive.
The score was finished with a 46-yard Montana State field goal in the fourth quarter.
Next, the Mustangs have a bye week. Cal Poly football will return to Alex G. Spanos Stadium on Oct. 23 as the Mustangs host UC Davis for the Battle of the Golden Horseshoe during Mustang Family Weekend.
This story was originally published October 9, 2021 at 5:50 PM with the headline "Montana State sends Cal Poly to fifth-straight loss as quarterback injuries pile up."
