SAN LUIS OBISPO — NCAA Division I Cal Poly San Luis Obispo shut down Humboldt State's offense in the second half, coming from behind to slip past the Lumberjacks, 23-17 in the football season-opener Saturday.
Boxscore
Facing a formidable challenge, Humboldt State gave No. 25 nationally ranked Cal Poly all it could handle, inducing four turnovers. But after trailing 17-7 at the half, Cal Poly utilized its running game to reestablish momentum, rallying behind backs Jake Romanelli and Mark Rodgers.
“Our kids came here believing they were going to beat Cal Poly,” HSU head coach Rob Smith said. “We have a very good football team, we're going to be on the right side of a lot of football games this year.”
Cal Poly's offense was paced by Rodgers, who carried the ball 14 times for 1-5 yards, and Romanelli added 81 yards on 12 carries. Quarterback Tony Smith added a 48-yard scramble of his own for a touchdown, giving Cal Poly its first lead of the game midway through the third quarter.
Humboldt State was led offensively by Daniel Wyatt's 46 yards on 11 carries. In his Lumberjack debut, transfer Lyndon Rowells carried the ball eight times for 36 yards, but was limited by muscle cramps throughout the second half.
Smith connected on 6 passes in 12 attempts, for 39 yards and an interception. Proulx was 19-31 for 144 yards and a touchdown.
Cal Poly's defense rose to the occasion in the second half, limiting Humboldt State to only two first downs and 57 yards of offense. Humboldt State also hurt itself, committing 8 penalties for 80 yards to benefit the Mustangs' cause.
“We just have to do a better job in the second half, and withstand what the opponent brings,” Smith said. “Overall, we're vastly improved from last year. I'm very proud of how our guys performed tonight.”
Early on, the Mustangs received an opportunity to put points on the board when Asa Jackson returned a punt to midfield on CP's second series. Three plays later, Humboldt's Elzie Gatson nullified the chance, intercepting Smith's pass in the endzone.
Humboldt State suffered a similar fate on its ensuing possession, driving to the Cal Poly 30-yard-line before turning the ball over on Rowells' fumble. The Mustangs gave it right back on Smith's fumble on their first play, forced by Justin Hornsby and recovered by Mike Lynch.
Rowells atoned for his earlier mistake with a 22-yard run that moved the ball to the Mustang 21-yard line. On the next play, Rowell's backup, Daniel Wyatt, exploded to the 4-yard-line to set up first and goal.
The Mustangs held for two plays before Proulx rolled right and fired the first touchdown pass of the season to Dirk Dallas. Freshman kicker Matt Bruder tacked on the extra point to give HSU a 7-0 lead.
Erick Gardley's 53-yard kickoff return positioned the Mustangs on the HSU 29, and they turned to the ground attack. Romanelli and Rodgers ran the ball inside the 5-yard-line, and Rodgers finished the drive with a short run to tie the game at 7-7.
Edwin Henry keyed the Jacks' next drive, making two receptions of Proulx passes to move the ball to the CP 23-yard line. After the drive stalled, Bruder connected on his first collegiate field goal attempt, a 40-yarder that gave HSU a 10-7 lead.
Humboldt State added defensive points when linebacker Jonathan Faraimo scooped up a fumble and rambled 29 yards into the endzone. That gave the Jacks a 17-7 lead heading into the halftime lockerroom.
On its second series of the second half, the Mustangs found success on the ground again. Romanelli rushed for 38 yards of the 63-yard drive, and Rodgers ended it with a 4-yard scamper that cut the lead to 17-14.
The Mustangs appeared to be set up for more points when they recovered Kevin Miles' fumble, but HSU's Eddie Umeh returned the favor on Cal Poly's first play of the series, collecting a CP fumble.
Smith gave the Mustangs their first lead of the game with a 48-yard run, moving them ahead, 21-17 with 1:32 remaining in the third quarter. Cal Poly's offensive line led another methodical drive all the way to the 1-yard line, but HSU's defense put up an outstanding goal-line stand to preserve the four-point deficit.
Humboldt State was unable to capitalize, however, giving up a safety when Rowells was tackled in the endzone on the Jacks' second play from scrimmage. That also gave the ball back to Cal Poly, forcing HSU's weary defense back onto the field.
The Lumberjacks begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play next week, traveling to St. George, Utah for Saturday's game against Dixie State. Their first home game is scheduled for the following week, a Sept. 18 matchup with Menlo College.
