They say records are meant to be broken. Cal Poly senior fullback Joe Protheroe has taken that sentiment seriously this season as he continues to climb up the Mustangs’ all-time rushing yards leaderboard.
In Cal Poly’s 49-42 loss at Montana State last Saturday, Joe Pro rushed for 215 yards on 36 carries, passing James Noble for third all-time. Protheroe also added a pair of touchdowns in the defeat.
With two games remaining in the season, Protheroe needs just six yards to move into second place and 377 yards to surpass Craig Young’s all-time rushing record of 4,205 yards.
The records are all fine and dandy, but the main goal for Protheroe and Head Coach Tim Walsh is very straight-forward, to win.
“Honestly, it is a dream-come-true but it would be a better and more complete dream if we could get the win with it,” Protheroe said. “You know, the records and stuff is cool, but at the end of the day, I’d rather have 100 yards and a win than 200 yards and a loss.”
“There’s no doubt that I’m extremely proud for him,” Walsh exclaimed. “He is a young man that truly exemplifies what football is all about. He loves the game of football, truly loves it. There’s no doubt that for him, carrying the football is what he does. He loves doing it. The more we give it to him, to be honest with you, the better he gets.”
Protheroe and the Mustangs host Idaho State and Southern Utah to close out the regular season.