Cal Poly beats Southern Utah 24-21 in a Big Sky opener
CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Jalen Hamler had a pair of touchdown runs, Jake Jeffrey added another and Cal Poly held off Southern Utah 24-21 on Saturday night in a Big Sky Conference opener.
Kekoa Sasaoka missed a 23-yard field goal attempt for Southern Utah (1-4, 0-1) with 2:10 remaining.
Hamler had scoring runs from 6 and 13 yards in the second quarter and finished with 65 yards rushing on 20 carries. Jeffrey's 4-yard TD run stretched the Mustangs' lead to 24-13 with 12:47 to play.
The Thunderbirds answered less than a minute later when Chris Helbig threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to John Mitchell to pull Southern Utah to 24-21. Cal Poly had a turnover and punted on its last two possessions. Helbig then led a 10-play, 51-yard drive that stalled on Sasaoka's missed field goal.
Helbig finished 19-of-34 passing for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Jay Green ran for a 20-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
Game Information
2023 Big Sky Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Montana | 7-1 | 13-2 |
Idaho | 6-2 | 9-4 |
Montana State | 6-2 | 8-4 |
Northern Arizona | 5-3 | 5-6 |
UC Davis | 5-3 | 7-4 |
Sacramento State | 4-4 | 8-5 |
Weber State | 4-4 | 6-5 |
Portland State | 4-4 | 5-6 |
Idaho State | 3-5 | 3-8 |
Eastern Washington | 3-5 | 4-7 |
Cal Poly | 1-7 | 3-8 |
Northern Colorado | 0-8 | 0-11 |
2023 United Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Austin Peay | 6-0 | 9-3 |
Central Arkansas | 4-2 | 7-4 |
Southern Utah | 4-2 | 6-5 |
Eastern Kentucky | 4-2 | 5-6 |
Tarleton State | 4-2 | 8-3 |
Abilene Christian | 3-3 | 5-6 |
North Alabama | 1-5 | 3-8 |
Utah Tech | 1-5 | 2-9 |
Stephen F. Austin | 0-6 | 3-8 |