Weber State University quarterback Austin Chipoletti is tackled in a game against California Polytechnic State University. The Wildcat offense sputtered and was unable to put any points on the board Saturday night, falling 47-0.
California Polytechnic State University held the Weber State University football scoreless on Saturday, the Mustangs’ final score being 47-0. The game was the first shutout for the Wildcats on the season, dropping them to 1-6, 0-2 in the Big Sky Conference.
“Cal Poly did a terrific job stopping our run, and we couldn’t get anything going offensively,” said WSU head coach Jody Sears. “It comes back to making plays and executing, and we weren’t able to do that. This was a tough night, but we have to stick to our plan and keep trying to improve.”
The Wildcats have only scored 41 points in their last six games. Over that span, they have given up 302 points, or just more than 50 a game. The Wildcats came into the game with two of their best linebackers out with injuries.
“We have some inexperienced guys at linebacker, and they have to step up,” said defensive coordinator Eric Lewis before the game. “Someone has to step up.”
While the Wildcats had three players with 13 tackles, most of them were far beyond the line of scrimmage after large gains on the ground.
Weber State University running back Bo Bolen runs the ball in a game against Cal Poly. The Wildcats were held to just 53 yards rushing in the game Saturday.
The offense also struggled, as it had to punt 10 times, and outside of three drives, it was held to six plays or less.
Cal Poly got on the board first. After a punt put the Mustangs on their own 20-yard line, they drove the rest of the field with ease, running through big holes on their way to the end zone. Kristaan Ivory capped off the nine-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. The Mustangs missed the extra point.
The Wildcats had a tough time stringing together drives in the first quarter. After driving into Mustang territory on their first drive, the Wildcats didn’t have much to show for their efforts in the quarter. The quarter ended at 6-0.
The Mustangs opened up the second period on a long drive that ended with a touchdown. Cal Poly again had most of its yards on the ground, as the Mustangs gained 68 yards rushing on the drive on 12 rushing attempts. A 6-yard screen pass from quarterback Dano Graves to Ivory finished off the drive. The extra point made the score 13-0.
After another stalled drive from the Wildcats, Cal Poly benefited from good field position and steamrolled over WSU’s defense on the way to a 10-play, 49-yard touchdown drive. Ivory once again drove the ball in on a 5-yard run. The score at halftime was 20-0.
WSU quarterback Austin Chipoletti finished the half 13-17 for 95 yards. The Wildcats were held to just 11 yards rushing in the first half.
Ivory finished the first half with 78 yards rushing on 13 attempts and three total touchdowns. Graves added 69 yards rushing in the first half.
The Mustangs received the kickoff to start the third quarter and took the ball to midfield, providing a spark for the Cal Poly offense. The Mustangs scored on that drive and on their subsequent drive, bringing their lead up to 34.
The Wildcats continued to struggle moving the ball up field, their longest drive being just 39 yards on the first possession of the game. The Wildcats gave up two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, ending the game at 47-0.
The Mustangs totaled 580 total yards, including 365 yards rushing. Graves and Ivory both rushed for more than 100 yards. Graves also threw for three touchdowns. The Wildcats were held to just 173 yards and 10 first downs, including just 53 yards rushing on 32 attempts.
The Wildcats will return to Stewart Stadium on Saturday to face Montana State University. The Bobcats are 2-0 in Big Sky play and came into this week ranked seventh in the nation. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m.
