Mustangs’ Fast Start a Surprise

Considering its record the last two seasons, it was understandable that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo wasn’t mentioned among the Western Football Conference favorites at the start of the season.

The Mustangs finished 5-4-1 in 1988 and 5-5 last year. They were last in the conference at 1-4 last season--their worst finish ever.

However, Cal Poly, which was picked to finish fourth in the six-team conference in a preseason poll of coaches and last in another poll, appears to have different ideas.

After four games, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is the only undefeated team in the WFC, and its record includes a 36-23 victory over three-time defending conference champion and perennial NCAA Division II power Portland State on Sept. 22 in Portland.

The Mustangs are No. 8 in the latest Division II rankings after getting off to their best start since 1987, when they won their first six games before finishing 7-3 in Lyle Setencich’s first season as coach.

But the coach said this year’s success has been more unexpected. “That year, we won two or three games by close scores, and we lost some close ones, too,” he said. “It is more surprising this year.”

Setencich said he had high hopes entering the season despite the pessimistic conference poll.

“I felt the people that made those ratings didn’t know anything about our football team,” he said. “There’s not a lot of difference in our conference between us and Sacramento State, Portland State, Santa Clara and Cal State Northridge. A few injuries here and there, and there’s not much difference.”

Unfortunately, Setencich didn’t count on a rash of injuries in his offensive line.

“I thought we’d be a pretty good football team, but we’ve lost four offensive linemen since the (season-opening) West Texas State game,” he said.

Starting linemen Bryan Griggs and Brian Jett are expected to be out for the season, according to Setencich. Scott Cooper and Dan Eavenson may return.

With his team’s injury problems, Setencich called the victory over Portland State even more satisfying. “I said it was the biggest win I’ve ever been involved with, and that’s one of the reasons why,” he said.

Setencich credits much of the team’s success to its defense, which has been particularly strong against the rush. The Mustangs have allowed an average of only 40 yards rushing a game and 1.4 yards a carry.

The leaders have been senior linemen Robert Morris, a Division II All-American last season, and Pat Moore. Both are regarded as pro prospects.

San Luis Obispo’s most impressive offensive player has been junior quarterback David Lafferty, who has passed for 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns. He ranks 17th in Division II in passing efficiency and sixth in total offense.

“Our quarterback has been very good at some key times,” Setencich said. “He’s been able to throw the long ball for us.”

Despite the team’s impressive start, Setencich doesn’t want his players to get carried away--not with UC Davis and Sacramento State as the next two foes. The Mustangs will journey to Davis today and play host to Sacramento next Saturday.

“We’ve got to go to Davis this week, and we have a tough schedule ahead of us,” Setencich said. “We’ve been playing quite decently. I just hope it continues.”