The Game
A pair of 1-1 teams who used to be in the same conference meet in California Saturday when Cal Poly hosts South Dakota in a 7 p.m. CT (5 p.m. local time) kickoff at Spanos Stadium. It's the first meeting between the two programs since 2011, the final year both were members of the Great West Conference. The game is part of the MVFC-Big Sky Challenge, which the Valley leads 3-1 with two games left to play.
 
The Mustangs
No more triple option for Cal Poly. They hired former Eastern Washington coach Beau Baldwin in 2020 and he has installed his spread system. He got quarterback Spencer Brasch to follow him from California to Cal Poly and Brasch has passed for 528 yards and three touchdowns through two games. The running game has been limited to a total of 99 yards. Defensively, the Mustangs are led by linebacker Matt Shotwell, who is the fourth Shotwell brother to star at Cal Poly. His oldest brother, Kyle, was FCS Defensive Plyer of the Year back in 2006.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota's front seven has been the star through two games, holding opposing running backs in check and totaling five sacks. All-Valley linebackers Jack Cochrane (23 tackles) and Brock Mogensen (16) have combined for six tackles-for-loss. Offensively, the team rebounded from a slow start at Kansas to score a first-half knockout of Northern Arizona last week. Travis Theis ran 12 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns and the Coyotes scored on their first three possessions of the game. Carson Camp has passed for 311 yards and a touchdown. Only Carter Bell (7 rec., 75 yards) has more than 50 yards receiving.
 
The Secondary
Cal Poly has the 25^th-ranked passing attack behind Brasch and Fresno State transfer Chris Coleman who has eight catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns thru two games. They'll test a secondary led by team captain Elijah Reed at safety, who had a first-half interception last week. Cornerback Myles Harden had to miss the first half against Northern Arizona, but will be ready at the start for this one. Jakari Starling and Jonathan Joanis, who play a nickelback role at times, look to be featured as well.
 
One Last Thing
South Dakota is in California for the first time since 2015 when the Coyotes topped UC Davis 27-17. USD beat Cal Poly 50-48 at Spanos Stadium in 2009 when the Coyotes defended a two-point conversion try with 20 seconds left.