Coach Walsh discusses Cal Poly football

Posted: Nov 23, 2009 9:49 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Nov 23, 2009 9:49 PM

Cal Poly football head coach Tim Walsh discussed the Mustangs' season that came to a disappointing end over the weekend.
The Mustangs lost 47-14 Saturday at 12th ranked Weber State, the same team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season.
The 33 point defeat was the Mustangs' fourth straight loss.
It dropped their record to 4-7 and completed the program's first losing season since 2002.
The Mustangs went 0-6 on the road in 2009 for their first winless campaign away from home since 1998.
Monday, head coach Tim Walsh discussed what contributed to his disappointing first season at the reins on the Mustangs.
"There are a lot of factors that went in to the season. Coaching, when they're in transition, there is going to be some time that it's going to take to get comfortable with each other," said Walsh. "I think secondly, I think we had a lot of injuries which had a big factor in it. And thirdly we were inexperienced. You know the ability to get that experience should pay dividends in the future but unfortunately you play for the present."
Coach Walsh said seniors Ryan Shotwell and Carlton Gillespie were in his eyes, the team's most valuable players this season. They are among the 10 graduating Mustangs.

The Mustangs returned just six starters from the 2008 Great West Champion team. They lost nearly 5,000 yards of total offense with the graduation of Ramses Barden, Ryan Mole, Tre'dale Tolver, James Noble and Jonathan Dally.

In 2009, Cal Poly finished with a 178.5 yards per game average. The Mustangs were ranked as high as #12 in the FCS polls this season before the season-ending four game skid.

Templeton native Jake Romanelli led the team in rushing yards. He gained 492 yards, while junior Jordan Yocum, who battle injuries, rushed for 459. Junior linebacker Marty Mohamed was the team's top tackler with 93 while senior end Ryan Shotwell had a team-high 5 sacks.

Three of Cal Poly's 2009 opponents qualified for the NCAA FCS playoffs including top seed (11-0) Montana, South Dakota State (8-3) and Weber State (7-4).