Cal Poly Sports

2016 Cal Poly football preview

jjohnston@thetribunenews.com

The Tribune 2016 Cal Poly Football Preview

Position groups

Quarterbacks: Wait almost over for senior Dano Graves

The Sacramento product (below) has been waiting a long time for this opportunity after sitting out a redshirt season last year.

David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com

Running backs: Cal Poly expected to lean on deep stable of running backs

All-American Joe Protheroe (below) is the straw that stirs the drink in head coach Tim Walsh’s triple-option offense.

Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com

Wide receivers: Cal Poly football team returns young, talented group of wide receivers

Carson McMurtrey (below) is expected to lead a young group of wideouts this season.

Michael Albans AP

Offensive line: Mustangs return three starters, several experienced reserves

Senior Matthew Fisher started 11 games last season and leads an experienced group up front.

Kickers: Consistency key in Cal Poly football’s ‘wide open’ kicking competition

Can sophomore Alex Vega win the starting job?

Defensive line: Cal Poly football’s defensive line in flux as season opener approaches

Senior Jason Patterson leading an inexperienced group.

Linebacker: Cal Poly football team expects to carry on strong tradition at linebacker

Cal Poly has a tradition of producing standout linebackers; senior Joseph Gigantino is looking to continue that.

Secondary: New-look secondary features intriguing mix of experience, athleticism

Junior safety B.J. Nard leads a group that will feature a handful of newcomers this season.

Head coach Tim Walsh

Reporter Lucas Clark looks at why the eighth-year head coach has been such a good fit for the Mustangs.

Joe Johnston jjohnston@thetribunenews.com

More:

▪ Cal Poly motivated to rebound from disappointing 2015 season

▪ Matchup to watch vs. Week 1 opponent Nevada

▪ Video: Tim Walsh previews 2016 season

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 8:51 PM with the headline "2016 Cal Poly football preview."

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