Mistakes cost Mustangs in loss at Eastern Washington

Posted: Nov 3, 2012 5:28 PM by Bill Halter
Updated: Nov 3, 2012 11:59 PM

The Cal Poly football team hurt itself with three turnovers and six penalties in a 34-17 loss at seventh ranked Eastern Washington. The Eagles and 16th ranked Mustangs are now both 7-2 overall. The teams remain tied for second place in the Big Sky standings at 5-1 because this was a non-conference game.

Drive killing penalties and turnovers hurt the Mustangs as they tried to keep pace with the high powered Eastern Washington offense. Cal Poly turned it over three times and committed six penalties, including two holding calls that stalled drives in Eastern Washington territory.

Cal Poly was out rushed in the game for the first time this season, the Mustangs gained 251 yards on the ground compared to 254 for Eastern Washington. The Eagles added 288 passing yards for 542 total yards, the most Cal Poly has allowed all season.

Eastern Washington jumped out to a 14-3 lead before the Mustangs scored a touchdown on a Kristaan Ivory four yard run. Ivory, a sophomore, rushed 10 times for 94 yards. Senior Deonte Williams led the team with 100 yards on 20 carries.

The Eagles took a 24-10 lead to the half. In the third quarter, Cal Poly sophomore Jordan Williams intercepted a pass at the Mustangs 31 yard line but after a 10 yard return he fumbled and the Eagles recovered. Eastern Washington cashed the second chance in with a 10 yard touchdown pass to go ahead 31-10.

Late in the third quarter, Cal Poly got the ball to the one yard line on third down. Two straight sneak plays by quarterback Andre Broadous couldn't get the ball across and the Mustangs turned it over on downs.

Early in the fourth the Eagles kicked a field goal before the Mustangs capped the scoring with a 40 yard touchdown pass from Broadous to Brandon Michalkiewicz.

Broadous was 10-18 passing for 129 yards, he threw a touchdown and an interception.

The Mustangs return home next week for a game against 1-8 Idaho State. Cal Poly finishes the season at 8-1 Northern Arizona. If the Mustangs win both games they will earn at least a share of the Big Sky championship. The Mustangs might need to win both games to earn a spot in the FCS playoffs. Next Saturday's game against Idaho State starts at 6:00 and can be seen on KSBY and ksby.com.