18 2013 Season Preview: Defending Big Sky Conference Title
Cal Poly’s offensive line this fall will be anchored by seniors Lefi Letuligasenoa (left) and Giovanni Sani. Cal Poly’s schedule for 2013 includes Football Bowl Subdivision foes Fresno State and Colorado State, both out of the Mountain West Conference, along with Pioneer League tri-champion San Diego for the second straight year and a visit by Ivy League member Yale. In its 2013 Big Sky schedule, Cal Poly trades Montana and Eastern Washington for North Dakota and Idaho State. “That’s probably not a good trade,” said Walsh. “Playing Eastern Washington and
this year.” In Josh Brown’s first year as defensive coordinator, last year’s defense improved from No. 86 to 45th in scoring defense and No. 90 to 57th in total defense. A position-by-position breakdown heading into fall camp:
front that allowed just 10 sacks a year ago, No. 8 in the FCS, and helped the Mustang offense finish No. 1 in the nation in passing efficiency, No. 3 in rushing offense and No. 7 in scoring offense. Several true freshmen and redshirt freshmen gained considerable playing time a year
Offensive Line Walsh and his coaching staff must find replacements for center Geoff Hyde and right tackle Karl Winkelman, part of an offensive
Fullback
Offensive Line Giovanni Sani (6-5, 285, Sr.) Started All 12 Games in 2012 All-Big Sky Honorable Mention 2012 4 Starts, 10 Games Played in 2011 9 Starts, 11 Games Played in 2009 Lefi Letuligasenoa (6-1, 300, Sr.) 11 Starts in 2012 All-Big Sky Honorable Mention in 2012 9 Starts, 11 Games Played in 2011 Kyle Zottneck (6-1, 270, So.) 11 Starts, 12 Games Played in 2012 Mike Freeman (6-3, 275, Sr.) 6 Starts, 7 Games Played in 2012
Montana in conference, two FBS schools and San Diego and Yale, two teams who usually contend for conference titles, probably makes this the most difficult schedule and we will play it with the most experienced team I’ve had at Cal Poly. “Add all that up and it will be a much more challenging schedule for us this year,” Walsh added. “Tough people win championships. I think we have a tough football team. Our returning experience should go a long way in helping us get through our difficult schedule
Cole Stanford rushed for 241 yards and caught 17 passes for 486 yards.
Akaninyene Umoh (6-2, 220, Sr.) 100 Carries, 439 Yards, 2 TD in 2012 3 Catches, 31 Yards, 1 TD in 2012 21 Carries, 74 Yards, 0 TDs in 2011 6 Catches, 129 Yards, 1 TD in 2011 6 Carries, 20 Yards, 0 TDs in 2010 7 Catches, 92 Yards, 0 TDs in 2010 Brandon Howe (6-2, 220, Jr.) 35 Carries, 174 Yards, 2 TD in 2012 5 Catches, 30 Yards, 1 TD in 2012 Matt Rulon (5-10, 220, Sr.) 22 Carries, 120 Yards, 0 TD in 2012
ago, including Stephen Sippel and Weston Walker, both of whom were pressed into duty as starters in two games, and Kyle Zottneck, who started 11 games at left guard in 2012. Matthew Fisher, Nick Enriquez, Derek Sabo, Marvin Abou and Billy Shipman were redshirts last fall and are ready to step in. "We feel really good about the young guys on the offensive line," said Walsh. "Probably five or six guys who were freshmen a year ago will be all-conference in a year or two. Our offensive line should be deeper and stronger this year than before." In addition to Zottneck, returning to start this fall are Lefi Letuligasenoa at right guard and Giovanni Sani at left tackle. Both are seniors. Mike Freeman, also a senior, missed the final five games of the 2012 season due