View source for Cal Poly Mustangs football

{{Short description|University football team}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox college football team
| CurrentSeason = 2025 Cal Poly Mustangs football team
| TeamName = Cal Poly Mustangs football
| Image = Cal_poly_mustangs_logo_primary_2021_sportslogosnet-5685.png
| ImageSize = 150
| FirstYear = {{Start date and age|1915}}
| AthleticDirector = Don Oberhelman
| HeadCoach = [[Paul Wulff]]
| HeadCoachYear = 2nd
| HCWins = 6 <!-- As of games through 2024 season -->
| HCLosses = 16 <!-- As of games through 2024 season -->
| Stadium = [[Alex G. Spanos Stadium]]
| StadCapacity = 11,075
| StadSurface = FieldTurf
| Location = [[San Luis Obispo, California]]
| NCAAdivision = I FCS
| Conference = [[Big Sky Conference]]
| ATWins = 515
| ATLosses = 440
| ATTies = 20
| BowlWins = 0
| BowlLosses = 1
| NatlTitles = [[NCAA Division II|Division II]]: 1 (1980)
| ConfTitles = 21
| AllAmericans =
| FightSong = Ride High, You Mustangs
| Rivalries = [[UC Davis Aggies football|UC Davis]] ([[Battle for the Golden Horseshoe|rivalry]])<br>[[Sacramento State Hornets football|Sacramento State]]<br>[[Fresno State Bulldogs football|Fresno State]]<br>[[UC Santa Barbara Gauchos football|UC Santa Barbara]] ([[Blue–Green rivalry|rivalry]])
| MascotDisplay = Musty the Mustang
| MarchingBand = [[California Polytechnic State University Mustang Band|Cal Poly Mustang Band]]
| FieldName = Mustang Memorial Field Presented by Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center
| PagFreeLabel = Outfitter
| free_value = [[Adidas]]
| WebsiteURL = https://gopoly.com/sports/football
| WebsiteName = gopoly.com
}}
The '''Cal Poly Mustangs''' are the football team representing [[California Polytechnic State University]] located in [[San Luis Obispo, California]]. The team plays its home games at [[Alex G. Spanos Stadium|Mustang Memorial Field]], at the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|NCAA Division I FCS level]] in the [[Big Sky Conference]]. The current head coach is [[Paul Wulff]], who began his tenure in December 2022.

==History==
{{see also|List of Cal Poly Mustangs football seasons}}
Football was first played on the Cal Poly campus in 1916. At that time, Cal Poly was a vocational school, as it did not become a four-year college until 1941.

===1915 to 1940s: The beginning===
The California Polytechnic School played mostly high school teams and college freshmen teams for its first 16 seasons. In 1933, the Mustangs enjoyed their first undefeated season under coach [[Howie O'Daniels]]. During the 1933 campaign, the Mustangs did not allow a single point during that season.<ref>{{Citation |title=Cal Poly Football - 100 Seasons of Football "The 1930s" | date=September 11, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVlx93lVWPo |language=en |access-date=2022-06-13}}</ref> Cal Poly officially became a four-year school in 1941 and posted a 5–3–1 record under O'Daniels. Football was put on hold during [[World War II]] ('43 and '44) and resumed in 1945.

===1950s: Jeter, Madden, Beathard leave legacy===
Under coach [[LeRoy Hughes]], Cal Poly experienced its second undefeated season in 1953. In the decade of the 1950s, the Mustangs posted a record of 67–29–1.  During this time, All-American [[Stan Sheriff]] became Cal Poly's first player to join an NFL roster, beginning with the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] in 1954.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stan Sheriff Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SherSt20.htm |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Hughes' teams also included future [[Chicago Bears]] running back [[Perry Jeter]] and future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee [[John Madden]], who was known as a bruising tackle. Upon graduation, Madden was drafted by the [[Philadelphia Eagles]].

Of Jeter, legendary Bears founder [[George Halas]] commented in 1954: "Never have we received a more accurate appraisal (in promotional assessment) of a player than LeRoy Hughes gave us on Jeter."<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 25, 1956 |title='Rookie of Year' Honors Seen for Ex-Poly Halfback |pages=10 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref> Joining Madden and Jeter on the Mustang roster was quarterback and defensive back [[Bobby Beathard]], who would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 as the architect and general manager responsible for building the [[Washington Commanders|Washington]] franchise into a perennial Super Bowl-winning and contending dynasty.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bobby Beathard Describes The Thought Process Over Trading First Round Draft Picks |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/bobby-beathard-describes-the-thought-process-over-trading-first-round-d-17032321 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=www.commanders.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

===1960s: Tragedy strikes Cal Poly; Harper brought on===
{{main|Cal Poly football team C-46 crash}}

Tragedy struck in 1960 following a game at [[Bowling Green State University]] on Saturday, October 29, 1960, when a plane leaving Toledo Airport crashed, killing 22 people. This included 16 Mustang football players and the team manager. The next seven seasons produced a 22–45 record. [[Joe Harper (American football)|Joe Harper]], then a [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]] assistant, was hired as Mustang head coach on February 7, 1968. Harper, a former offensive guard for [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]] (1956–58), directed Cal Poly to 7–3 and 6–4 seasons to end the decade, respectively. In the final year of the decade, Cal Poly upset [[Fresno State Bulldogs|Fresno State]] 21–17, leading the ''Mustang Daily'' campus newspaper to publish a rare all-capped double-truck headline declaring the game as "One of the Greatest Wins in Poly Grid History".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramos |first=George |date=October 21, 1969 |title=ONE OF GREATEST WINS IN POLY GRID HISTORY |pages=8 |work=Mustang Daily |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2499&context=studentnewspaper}}</ref> At the time, Harper told the ''[[The Fresno Bee|Fresno Bee]]'' the win was "the greatest game I have ever been involved with." The result also made the sports section of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', which noted the Mustangs' first win over the Bulldogs in 12 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1969 |title=Cal Poly (SLO) Raps Fresno St. |pages=10 (C) |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref>

===1970s: Harper builds a dynasty===
[[File:GaryDavisCalPolyHOFPlaque.jpg|alt=Gary Davis, whose Cal Poly Hall of Fame plaque is shown in 2023, set numerous Mustang rushing records in the 1970s before going on to play four years for Don Shula's Miami Dolphins in the NFL.|thumb|Gary Davis, whose Cal Poly Hall of Fame plaque is shown in 2023, set numerous Mustang rushing records in the 1970s before going on to play four years for Don Shula's Miami Dolphins in the NFL.]]
Under Harper, Cal Poly produced an 8–0–1 regular-season record in 1972 and received a trip to the [[Camellia Bowl (1961–1980)|Camellia Bowl]] to play in the Western Regional Championship Game of the NCAA's [[College Division]]. Cal Poly was ranked No. 3 in the division by both the AP and UPI polls heading into the postseason.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 21, 1972 |title=Mustangs receive Camellia Bowl bid against North Dakota |pages=1 |work=Mustang Daily |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2927&context=studentnewspaper}}</ref> They would end up losing 38–21 to the [[University of North Dakota]] ([[North Central Conference]] co-champs) in the bowl game hosted in Sacramento's [[Charles C. Hughes Stadium|Hughes Stadium]], telecast regionally on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Noland |first=Eric |date=December 1, 1972 |title=Camellia Bowl here we come! |pages=13 |work=Mustang Daily |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2932&context=studentnewspaper}}</ref> In 1978, the Mustangs would make it to the NCAA Division II playoffs but lost to [[Winston-Salem State Rams|Winston-Salem State]].

Another highlight during the decade was Cal Poly's most recent football victory over [[Fresno State Bulldogs football|Fresno State]], which came 26–0 on Oct. 6, 1979. The score marked, at the time, the first shutout in the 57-year history between the two programs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nettleship |first=Johnny |date=October 8, 1979 |title=Poly blanks Bulldogs |pages=18 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref> Mustang safety Chris Jones had two interceptions in the game, while fullback Paul Dickens led the offense by rushing for 163 yards on 35 carries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wise |first=Kellye |date=October 9, 1979 |title=Dickens and defense whip Fresno |pages=6 |work=Mustang Daily |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3827&context=studentnewspaper}}</ref>

Each of the ten Mustang football teams in the 1970s posted a winning season.

===1980s: Mustangs win national title===
1980 would be one of the most memorable seasons for the Cal Poly Mustangs, as they went on to win the [[NCAA Division II National Football Championship]] under Harper. Cal Poly [[1980 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs|defeated Eastern Illinois in the championship game]]<ref>{{Citation |title=Cal Poly Football: 40th Anniversary of the 1980 NCAA Division II National Championship Game | date=December 11, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e72rFvMY59M |language=en |access-date=2022-06-12}}</ref> on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and would finish the season with a 10–3 record that included a win over eventual-[[1980 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game|Division I-AA]] national champion [[Boise State Broncos football|Boise State]]. Never before or since has a D-II team defeated the eventual I-AA national champion and won a D-II national title in the same year.

During the 1980 season, running back [[Louis Jackson (American football)|Louis Jackson]] led the nation at the Division II level with 1,424 rushing yards on 287 carries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Football Records Books (since 2004) |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/11/19/football-records-books-since-2004.aspx |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref>

[[Robbie Martin]], who starred in the NCAA championship win,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1980-12-14 |title=Eastern Illinois Toppled, 21-13; Miss Serrat Wins Slalom; First Victory in 5 Years |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/12/14/archives/eastern-illinois-toppled-2113-miss-serrat-wins-slalom-first-victory.html |access-date=2022-06-15 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> compiled a career punt-return average of 16.9 yards per runback, graduating after the 1980 title season with the third-best PR average in division history at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2020/3/27/2020-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:MelKaufmanInCalPolyHallOfFame.jpg|alt=Commemorated in the Cal Poly Hall of Fame, Mel Kaufman helped lead the Mustangs to a 1980 national championship before becoming a starting linebacker for Washington in the NFL, winning two Super Bowl rings.|left|thumb|Commemorated in the Cal Poly Hall of Fame, Mel Kaufman helped lead the Mustangs to a 1980 national championship before becoming a starting linebacker for Washington in the NFL, winning two Super Bowl rings.]]
Following the national title, the Mustangs were honored with a parade through downtown [[San Luis Obispo, California|San Luis Obispo]] on December 15, 1980. The parade traveled down Higuera Street before a rally held in Mission Plaza.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burdick |first=Eric |date=December 15, 1980 |title=Football champs honored |pages=1 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref> Then-mayor Lynn Cooper spoke at the celebration.

On November 20, 1982, Cal Poly's Clarence Martin set an all-time Division II single-game record<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref> for most yards per kickoff return (minimum of three returns), averaging 71.7 yards (215 total) on his three KRs vs. then-rival Pomona. The record was finally broken after 39 years by Carson-Newman return specialist DeQuan Dudley in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-03 |title=Dudley earns second team all-region honors as a return specialist |url=https://www.cneagles.com/sports/m-footbl/2021-22/releases/20211203hyd9bn |language=en}}</ref>

===1990s: The move to Division I===
In 1990, coach [[Lyle Setencich]] would lead the Mustangs to another playoff appearance before losing in the second round to powerhouse [[North Dakota State]]. The 1990 Mustangs yielded just 11.3 points per game, the best defensive average throughout Division II for the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2019/6/3/2019-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref> The defensive front was led by lineman Pat Moore, who received an invitation to the [[NFL Scouting Combine]] after compiling 67 tackles and 9.5 sacks during the 1990 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seratti |first=Geoff |date=April 30, 1991 |title=Standout Poly lineman signs with NFL Bears |pages=1 |work=Mustang Daily |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5298&context=studentnewspaper}}</ref> Also aiding the defense was [[Punter (football)|punter]] Doug O'Neill, who in 1991 led the nation in punting average, with 45.1 yards per punt,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref> while earning first-team All-American honors from the [[Associated Press|AP]].

In 1994, Cal Poly would make the jump to [[Division I-AA]] (now Football Championship Subdivision) with head coach [[Andre Patterson (American football)|Andre Patterson]] at the helm. The Mustangs would see moderate success, posting a 7–4 record in Patterson's first year followed by two 5–6 seasons before Patterson departed for a position as an NFL line coach.

In 1997, Larry Welsh took over the program and led the Mustangs to a 10–1 record and a [[1997 NCAA Division I-AA football rankings|national ranking of 18th]]. The season was highlighted by a 38–35 win at [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|FBS]]-level [[New Mexico State Aggies football|New Mexico State]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=foxsports |title=New Mexico State plays Cal Poly in opener on FOX Sports Arizona |url=https://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/new-mexico-state-plays-cal-poly-in-opener-on-fox-sports-arizona-082714?amp=true |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> However, still only in its fourth year in the I-AA ranks at the time, Cal Poly was not extended an invitation to the [[1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season|national playoffs]]. Welsh (a 2017 inductee to the [[CIF Southern Section]] Hall of Fame<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Fame / Distinguished Service |url=https://cifss.org/awards/all-awards/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=CIF Southern Section |language=en-US}}</ref>) would follow that season with three 3–8 seasons and was not contractually renewed by then-athletic director John McCutcheon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly Coach Won't Return |url=https://apnews.com/article/64562146f4d3a6c48dbf919dccbde5d7 |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> The 1997 team's omission from the postseason was referred to as a "snub" by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' following the regular season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Najarian |first=Ara |date=December 3, 1997 |title=Cal Poly SLO (10-1) Riding Low in Saddle After Snub |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-03-sp-60091-story.html}}</ref>

The 1997 squad finished ranked No. 16 in the TSN Division I-AA media poll and No. 17 in the ''USA Today'' coaches Top 25.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref> Cal Poly quarterback [[Alli Abrew]] compiled a passer-efficiency rating of 179.5 in 1997, leading the nation at the I-AA level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2017/4/28/2017-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2001–2008: Rich Ellerson era ===
[[Rich Ellerson]], credited by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' for his role in refining [[Arizona Wildcats football|Arizona]]'s versatile "Desert Swarm" defense<ref>{{Cite news |last=Layden |first=Tim |title=RAISING ARIZONA |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1994/08/29/raising-arizona-defense-isnt-the-whole-story-but-its-enough-to-elevate-the-wildcats-to-the-top-spot-in-the-nation-this-fall |access-date=2022-06-14 |newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault &#124; Si.com |language=en-us}}</ref> featuring [[Tedy Bruschi]], was introduced as Cal Poly's new head coach on December 6, 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Milne |first=Brian |date=January 8, 2001 |title=New coach takes over Cal Poly football |pages=7–8 |work=Mustang Daily |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6669&context=studentnewspaper}}</ref> In 2001, his first year, he led the Mustangs to a 6–5 season. Two years later, the program earned its second modern-day win over an [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|FBS]] opponent, routing [[UTEP Miners football|UTEP]] 34–13 on September 6, 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly vs. UTEP - Game Recap - September 6, 2003 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/232492638 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613233332/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/232492638 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>

Coach Ellerson would emphasize defense and, by 2004, not only did his 9–2 Mustangs secure their first of three [[Great West Conference]] football titles, but [[linebacker]] [[Jordan Beck (American football)|Jordan Beck]] would win the [[Buck Buchanan Award]] as the nation's best defensive player in the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision]]. In 2004, Beck led the nation at the Division I-AA level in both solo tackles per game (8.82) and forced fumbles per game (0.55).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:ChrisGocongCalPolyHallOfFame.jpg|alt=Chris Gocong, who helped lead Cal Poly to an FCS playoff win over Montana in 2005, was drafted in the third round by the Philadelphia Eagles, and played six years in the NFL.|thumb|Chris Gocong, who helped lead Cal Poly to an FCS playoff win over Montana in 2005, was drafted in the third round by the Philadelphia Eagles, and played six years in the NFL.]]
Following a 6–0 start to the 2004 season, Cal Poly found itself ranked ahead of 32 [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|FBS]]-level teams in the [[Jeff Sagarin]] NCAA Football Ratings, an index which combined all Division I-A and I-AA programs into one ranking system.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 19, 2004 |title=Cal Poly Ranked 5th, 6th in Polls |pages=C1 |work=The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA)}}</ref> Fan interest crested as the Mustangs moved to 7–0, with the upcoming week's rivalry game against UC Davis sold-out on campus well in advance of game day<ref>{{Cite news |last=Milne |first=Brian |date=October 30, 2004 |title=Mustang Mania |pages=A1 |work=San Luis Obispo Tribune}}</ref> (ultimately won by the Aggies, snapping Cal Poly's win streak despite breaking then-stadium attendance records in back-to-back games<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Milne |first1=Brian |last2=Fahey |first2=Andy |date=October 31, 2004 |title=Second Consecutive Record Crowd Watches Classic |pages=C3 |work=San Luis Obispo Tribune}}</ref>). In 2004, the Mustangs ranked No. 1 in the country for rushing defense, giving up 84.3 yards per game on the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Football Records Books (since 2004) |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/11/19/football-records-books-since-2004.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref>

During the next two years, Cal Poly would experience continued success on the field and another NCAA first as two more players would win the Buchanan Award: [[Chris Gocong]] in 2005 and Kyle Shotwell in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shotwell takes 1-AA defensive honor |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2006/12/15/Shotwell-takes-1-AA-defensive-honor/15811166204142/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>
In 2005, the 9-4 Mustangs also earned their first FCS playoff berth and victory with a [[2005 NCAA Division I-AA football season|35–21 win over Montana]]. A key to the playoff victory over the Grizzlies was running back James Noble, who scored four touchdowns in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly knocks off Montana for first time in 11 games {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2005/nov/27/cal-poly-knocks-off-montana-for-first-time-in-11/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=www.spokesman.com}}</ref> (Noble had arrived at Cal Poly after setting the [[San Bernardino County, California|San Bernardino County]] single-season rushing record, amassing 2,256 yards at [[Barstow High School|Barstow High]] in 2003, fourth-most in the entire state.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-27 |title=State Football Rushing Yards Leaders |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/high-school/california/post/_/id/1625/state-football-rushing-yards-leaders |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>) Cal Poly was then knocked out in the quarterfinals by [[Texas State Bobcats football|Texas State]] on [[ESPN2]] in a 14-7 defensive battle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly vs. Texas State - Game Recap - December 3, 2005 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/253370326 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613233333/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/253370326 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> Gocong's 23.5 sacks during the 2005 season remain an all-time FCS/I-AA single-season record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref>

The 2008 season would prove to be another exciting season for the Mustangs, whose victories included a road win over FBS [[San Diego State]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly vs. San Diego State - Game Recap - August 30, 2008 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/282430021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613233333/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/282430021 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> (the program's second in a three-year stretch<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aztecs Fall To Cal Poly, 16-14 |url=https://goaztecs.com/news/2006/10/28/Aztecs_Fall_To_Cal_Poly_16_14.aspx |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=SDSU Athletics |date=28 October 2006 |language=en}}</ref>) as well as a heartbreaking 36–35 overtime loss to the bowl-bound [[Wisconsin Badgers]] in Madison.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-11-20 |title=Wisconsin 36, Cal Poly 35, OT |url=https://www.twincities.com/2008/11/20/wisconsin-36-cal-poly-35-ot/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[2008 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|2008 Mustangs]] also made the playoffs but lost a shootout in the first round against [[Weber State]]. The 2008 season saw Cal Poly lead the country in both total offense at the FCS level, totaling 487.5 yards per game, and total scoring (44.4 points per game).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref> One of several keys to the prolific offense was [[Center (gridiron football)|center]] Stephen Field, selected as an All-American in back-to-back seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Joe |title=Stephen Field named head football coach at Nipomo High |url=https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/san-luis-obispo/stephen-field-named-head-football-coach-at-nipomo-high/article_ffa0bdb9-437b-5013-9ea6-ae9023603ae7.html |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=Santa Maria Times |date=13 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

During the 2008 season, Cal Poly matched its [[2008 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings|highest ranking in the FCS to date]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Throwback Team Thursday: Mustang Football Team Ranked No. 3 |url=https://gopoly.com/news/2020/10/8/throwback-team-thursday-mustang-football-team-ranked-no-3.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Cal Poly |language=en}}</ref> voted No. 3 in The Sports Network poll on November 4, and maintaining the No. 3 ranking over the next three weeks. During the year, student-printed T-shirts were distributed in the student section declaring "Throw it to Ramses!" in reference to the team's record-breaking wide receiver, [[Ramses Barden]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scroggin |first=Joshua D. |date=November 17, 2013 |title=Kupp Joins Barden in FCS lore |pages=S11 |work=The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA)}}</ref>

Barden, as well as cornerback [[Courtney Brown (defensive back)|Courtney Brown]], Gocong, defensive back [[David Richardson (American football)|David Richardson]], defensive back [[Asa Jackson]] and Beck were all developed by Ellerson and his staff during the decade and all joined [[National Football League|NFL]] rosters after being drafted or signing as free agents. At the conclusion of the 2008 season, with three conference titles, two postseason appearances, multiple All Americans developed and a record of 56–34, Ellerson departed California's Central Coast as he accepted an offer to become the head coach of [[Army Black Knights|Army]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-12-27 |title=Army hires Cal Poly's Ellerson |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Army-hires-Cal-Poly-s-Ellerson-3256619.php |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of 2021, Barden still held the all-time FCS/I-AA record for consecutive games during a career with a TD catch (20, from 2007 to 2008).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2009–2019: Tim Walsh era ===
In 2009, [[Tim Walsh (American football)|Tim Walsh]], the offensive coordinator for the [[Army Black Knights]] during the 2007 and 2008 seasons, was hired as Cal Poly's 16th head coach.

On November 12, 2011, Cal Poly set an all-time single-game FCS/I-AA record for most team rushes, running 95 times for 405 yards against Eastern Washington.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Nick Dzubnar.JPG|alt=Linebacker Nick Dzubnar helped lead Cal Poly to a share of the 2012 Big Sky Conference football title before going on to play for the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans in the NFL.|thumb|Linebacker [[Nick Dzubnar]] helped lead Cal Poly to a share of the 2012 Big Sky Conference football title before going on to play for the [[San Diego Chargers]] and [[Tennessee Titans]] in the NFL.]]
The 2012 season proved to be the most successful of Walsh's coaching career, as his Mustangs finished 9–3, in a three-way tie for the [[Big Sky Conference]] football title and earned and an [[2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season|NCAA FCS playoff invitation]]. During the year, the Mustangs picked up a 24–22 win over FBS-level [[Wyoming Cowboys football|Wyoming]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cowboys Fall to Cal Poly, 24-22 |url=https://gowyo.com/news/2012/9/15/57740f88e4b0bdd131ac9358_131478068800311772.aspx |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=University of Wyoming Athletics |language=en}}</ref> Cal Poly fell in the first round at [[Sam Houston State Bearkats football|Sam Houston State]], 18–16.

During the 2012 season, Cal Poly peaked in the [[2012 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings|national FCS rankings at No. 11 on October 22]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly Ranked in Top 10 By Several Computer Polls |url=https://gopoly.com/news/2012/10/24/10_24_2012_1657.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Cal Poly |date=24 October 2012 |language=en}}</ref> although the [[Jeff Sagarin]] Ratings ranked the Mustangs second in the FCS in the week of October 24.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scroggin |first=Joshua D. |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Walsh isn't sure Mustangs are properly ranked at 7-0 |pages=S1 |work=The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA)}}</ref> Midway through the 2012 season, running back Deonte Williams was added to the [[Walter Payton Award]] Watch List.<ref>{{Cite web |last=jlpennington |date=2012-10-23 |title=Big Sky's Williams named to Payton Watch List |url=https://denver.sbnation.com/2012/10/23/3543974/walter-payton-award-2012-watch-list-deonte-williams-cal-poly |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=SB Nation Denver |language=en}}</ref>

In 2014, Cal Poly quarterback Chris Brown became the first player in the school's Division I-era history<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly Defeats Weber State 30-24, Improves to 2-1 in Big Sky Games |url=https://gopoly.com/news/2014/10/11/10_11_2014_1853.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Cal Poly |date=11 October 2014 |language=en}}</ref> to throw for a touchdown and score TDs on both a run and a reception in the same game, as he achieved the rarity in a 30–24 victory at Weber State.<ref>{{Citation |title=Cal Poly at Weber State - Big Sky Football Highlights | date=October 13, 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Grx_9GtGs |language=en |access-date=2022-06-12}}</ref>

The Mustangs [[2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season|returned to the playoffs in 2016]] with a 7–4 record. On October 15, 2016, Cal Poly set a Big Sky single-game record for passing accuracy, as former [[MaxPreps]] National High School Player of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-01-12 |title=U.S. Air Force Player of the Year: Dano Graves - MaxPreps |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/news/Wytuyh3gEeCGDwAcxJSkrA/us-air-force-player-of-the-year-dano-graves.htm |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=MaxPreps.com |language=en}}</ref> Dano Graves led a 13-of-14 day for a .929 completion percentage<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/bigskyconf.com/documents/2021/8/24/2021_FB_Media_Guide_Record_Book.pdf |title=2021 Big Sky Conference Football Media Guide/Record Book |publisher=Big Sky Conference |year=2021 |location=Ogden, UT |pages=41 |language=English}}</ref> in a 55–35 win over Portland State.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly vs. Portland State - Box Score - October 15, 2016 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/400869767 |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>

During the 2016 season, Cal Poly was ranked as highly as [[2016 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings|No. 14 in the FCS STATS poll, on both October 24 and October 31]]. They lost in the first round to the University of San Diego, 35–21.  Following the 2016 season, Walsh was awarded a five-year contract extension; however, after going 1–10, 5-6 and 3–8, Walsh elected to retire following the 2019 campaign with a 59–66 record while at Cal Poly.

In 2018, Cal Poly's Joe Protheroe led the country in rushing yards at the FCS level, gaining 1,810 yards on 363 carries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref> The 2018 season also saw Cal Poly defensive back Dominic Frasch lead the nation in passes defended (a statistic which combines interceptions and pass breakups) for the year in the FCS, totaling 19.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NCAA Football Records |url=https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/30/2021-ncaa-football-records.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=NCAA.org |language=en}}</ref> Also in 2018, Mustang quarterback Khaleel Jenkins set an all-time single-season Big Sky Conference record for TD/pass attempts/INT ratio, not throwing any interceptions among his 89 passes<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/bigskyconf.com/documents/2021/8/24/2021_FB_Media_Guide_Record_Book.pdf |title=2021 Big Sky Conference Football Media Guide |publisher=Big Sky Conference |year=2021 |location=Ogden, UT |pages=38 |language=English}}</ref> (nine of which went for touchdowns,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly - Cumulative Season Statistics |url=https://calpoly_ftp.sidearmsports.com/custompages/sports/fball/2018-19/files/teamcume.htm#TEAM.IND |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=calpoly_ftp.sidearmsports.com}}</ref> including four to [[J. J. Koski]], who went on to play for the [[Los Angeles Rams|L.A. Rams]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=J.J. Koski (WR): Bio, News, Stats & more |url=https://www.therams.com/team/players-roster/j-j-koski/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=www.therams.com |language=en-US}}</ref>).
=== 2020–present: Baldwin to Wulff era ===
[[File:CalPolyAlexGSpanosStadiumSanLuisObispoCAJune17th2022Football.jpg|alt=A new surface, FieldTurf Super Elite Vertex Prime, was installed to Alex G. Spanos Stadium at Cal Poly in 2022. With the addition, Cal Poly joined all 11 fellow Big Sky Conference football universities with modern turf field surfaces.|thumb|A new surface, FieldTurf Super Elite Vertex Prime, was installed to Alex G. Spanos Stadium at Cal Poly in 2022. With the addition, Cal Poly joined all 11 fellow Big Sky Conference football universities with modern turf field surfaces.]]Former [[2011 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game|FCS national championship-winning]] [[Eastern Washington Eagles football|Eastern Washington]] head coach [[Beau Baldwin]] was announced as Cal Poly's new head coach on December 11, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly Names Beau Baldwin as its 17th Head Football Coach |url=https://gopoly.com/news/2019/12/11/12_11_2019_2396.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Cal Poly |date=11 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Baldwin, who coached [[Cooper Kupp]] at EWU,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly students react to Beau Baldwin's connection with Cooper Kupp |url=https://news.yahoo.com/cal-poly-students-react-beau-035437607.html |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=February 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> began to implement a [[Multiple offense|"multiple" offensive scheme]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Joe |title=Cal Poly football: Beau Baldwin brings track record of success to Mustangs |url=https://syvnews.com/sports/local/cal-poly-football-beau-baldwin-brings-track-record-of-success-to-mustangs/article_ba96e3e4-c1cf-547a-b7c4-e87b3872471e.html |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Santa Ynez Valley News |date=11 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and Cal Poly thereafter saw its passing yardage per game increase by 52.1 percent from 2019 to the shortened 2021 spring season, and then increase by another 18 percent in the fall of 2021.

The program dealt with multiple starts, stoppages and restarts to practice schedules amid COVID-19,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alley |first=Dave |date=2021-02-10 |title=Cal Poly pauses football practice due to COVID-19 concerns |url=https://keyt.com/sports/college-sports/2021/02/10/cal-poly-pauses-football-practice-due-to-covid-19-concerns/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=News Channel 3-12 |language=en-US}}</ref> going a combined 2-12 during the next 24 months overall, beginning with the lack of a traditional spring calendar in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-14 |title=Cal Poly Football Team Opens Summer Access Period at Doerr Family Field |url=https://atascaderonews.com/news/sports/cal-poly-football-team-opens-summer-access-period-at-doerr-family-field/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Atascadero News |language=en-US}}</ref> Senior linebacker Matt Shotwell was named to the Associated Press All-American Third Team<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-14 |title=2021 AP FCS All-America team |url=https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-tennessee-washington-north-dakota-f21d11d40f118975296471d0069fcbee |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> in December 2021.

Two Cal Poly freshmen, edge [[Elijah Ponder]] and punt returner Giancarlo Woods, were selected to the [[Phil Steele|Phil Steele Magazine]] Freshman All-America Team in January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Five Lions Earn Phil Steele FCS All-America, Freshman All-America Notice |url=https://lionsports.net/news/2022/1/11/football-five-lions-earn-phil-steele-fcs-all-america-freshman-all-america-notice.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> Then, in April 2022, Cal Poly held its first uninterrupted spring practice season in three years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scrimmage Wraps Up First Cal Poly Spring Camp in Three Years |url=https://gopoly.com/news/2022/4/30/scrimmage-wraps-up-first-cal-poly-football-spring-camp-in-three-years.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Cal Poly |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2022, a replacement of the then-[[Alex G. Spanos Stadium]] field was completed, as Cal Poly joined the rest of its peers in the [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] as having a turf surface.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Installation of FieldTurf at Alex G. Spanos Stadium is Complete |url=https://gopoly.com/news/2022/6/8/football-installation-of-fieldturk-at-alex-g-spanos-stadium-is-complete.aspx |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Cal Poly |language=en}}</ref> The conversion was assisted by Diversified Project Services International.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pope |first=Kailyn |title=Spanos Stadium Upgrades |url=https://dpsiinc.com/news/spanos-stadium-upgrades/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Diversified Project Services International |language=en-US}}</ref>[[File:CalPolyFootballJohnMaddenCenterSignage2023.jpg|alt=Signage announcing the construction zone for Cal Poly's upcoming John Madden Football Center is shown at the San Luis Obispo campus in May 2023.|left|thumb|Signage announcing the construction zone for Cal Poly's upcoming John Madden Football Center is shown at the San Luis Obispo campus in May 2023.]]Cal Poly started the 2022 season 1-1, with quarterback Jaden Jones winning the [[Big Sky Conference]] Offensive Player of the Week award for September 12.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burdick |first=Eric |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Cal Poly's Jaden Jones named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week |work=Santa Ynez Valley News}}</ref> Jones, however, who began the year with a 5-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio, was lost to a season-ending leg injury during the third week.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bandanza |first=Nick |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Brasch is back: Cal Poly Football quarterback returns to starting role |work=Mustang News}}</ref>

Midway through the year, the university announced the upcoming addition of a [[John Madden]] Football Center, a total $30-million training facility adjacent to the stadium, set to complete construction in 2024.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Koons |first=Zach |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Cal Poly Names New Football Center After Alumnus John Madden |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> The 30,000-square-foot facility will furnish a new locker room, weightlifting stations, a nutrition area, study lounge and film-review theater.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bonagura |first=Kyle |date=October 1, 2022 |title=Cal Poly unveils plans for construction of John Madden Football Facility |work=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2, 2022 |title=Cal Poly to build John Madden Football Center |work=Sports Business Journal}}</ref>

[[File:KickoffInCalPolyFootballStadiumIn2023.jpg|alt=Cal Poly prepares to receive the kickoff from Northern Colorado during a 2023 Big Sky Conference win.|thumb|Cal Poly prepares to receive the kickoff from [[Northern Colorado Bears football|Northern Colorado]] during a 2023 Big Sky Conference win.]]

Meanwhile, the Mustangs also suffered more injuries across the lineup, and started a combined seven total backup linemen the rest of the fall, ultimately finishing 2–9 in closing the year with a 49–42 victory over [[Portland State Vikings football|Portland State]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ho |first=Matthew |date=November 21, 2022 |title=Cal Poly ends season on high note with comeback win |pages=1B |work=San Luis Obispo Tribune}}</ref> Baldwin then accepted a position as [[offensive coordinator]] at [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]] early in the offseason,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ho |first=Matthew |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Cal Poly promotes Wulff to new football coach |pages=1A |work=San Luis Obispo Tribune}}</ref> and incumbent assistant [[offensive line]] coach [[Paul Wulff]] was promptly elevated to head coach on December 6, 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Dusty |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Paul Wulff reacts to promotion as Cal Poly Football Head Coach |work=KSBY TV |url=https://www.ksby.com/sports/paul-wulff-reacts-to-promotion-as-cal-poly-football-head-coach |access-date=December 8, 2022}}</ref>

One of the team leaders in 2022 was wide receiver [[Chris Coleman (wide receiver, born 1999)|Chris Coleman]], selected to the [[East–West Shrine Bowl|East-West Shrine Bowl]] 1000 watch list in the preseason, before going on to finish with 939 receiving yards. Coleman signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Miami Dolphins in late April 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 12, 2023 |title=Miami Dolphins Sign 21 Undrafted College Free Agents |work=Miami Dolphins Press Releases}}</ref>

==Affiliation history==
===Classifications===
*1937–1972: NCAA College Division
*1973–1993: NCAA Division II
*1994–present: [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|NCAA Division I–AA/FCS]]
[[File:CalPolyFootballOnOffenseBigSkyConfGame2023.jpg|alt=Cal Poly's offense prepares to snap the ball against the Northern Colorado defense during a 2023 Big Sky Conference home victory.|thumb|Cal Poly's offense prepares to snap the ball against the Northern Colorado defense during a 2023 Big Sky Conference home victory.]]

===Conference memberships===
*1915–1921: Independent
*1922–1924: [[California Coast Conference]]
*1925–1945: Independent
*1946–1981: [[California Collegiate Athletic Association]]
*1982–1992: [[Western Football Conference (United States)|Western Football Conference]]
*1993–1995: [[American West Conference]]
*1996–2003: NCAA Division I–AA Independent
*2004–2011: [[Great West Conference]]
*2012–present: [[Big Sky Conference]]

==Championships ==
===National championships===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Cal Poly Mustangs|Season|Coach|Selectors|Record|Bowl}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1980 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1980]] || [[Joe Harper (American football)|Joe Harper]] || Division II || 10–3 || Won [[NCAA Division II Football Championship|Division II Championship]]
|-align="center"
| colspan=3 style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Cal Poly Mustangs|border=0|color=white}}" | '''National Championships'''
| colspan=3 style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Cal Poly Mustangs|border=0|color=white}}" | '''1'''
|}

===Conference championships===
{| class="wikitable"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Cal Poly Mustangs|Year|Coach|Conference|Overall record|Conference record}}
|-
| [[1952 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1952]] || rowspan="3"|[[LeRoy Hughes]] || rowspan="12"|[[California Collegiate Athletic Association]] || 7–3 || 4–0
|-
| [[1953 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1953]] || 9–0 || 5–0
|-
| [[1958 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1958]]† || 9–1 || 4–1
|-
| [[1969 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1969]] || rowspan="10"|[[Joe Harper (American football)|Joe Harper]] || 6–4 || 2–0
|-
| [[1970 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1970]] || 8–2 || 3–0
|-
| [[1971 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1971]] || 6–5 || 3–0
|-
| [[1972 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1972]]† || 8–1–1 || 3–0
|-
| [[1973 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1973]] || 9–1 || 4–0
|-
| [[1976 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1976]] || 7–1–1 || 2–0
|-
| [[1977 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1977]] || 6–4 || 2–0
|-
| [[1978 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1978]] || 7–3 || 2–0
|-
| [[1979 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1979]] || 7–3 || 2–0
|-
| [[1980 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1980]] || 10–3 || 2–0
|-
| [[1982 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1982]] || [[Jim Sanderson (American football)|Jim Sanderson]] || rowspan="2"|[[Western Football Conference (United States)|Western Football Conference]] || 6–5 || 4–0
|-
| [[1990 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1990]]† || [[Lyle Setencich]] || 10–2 || 4–1
|-
| [[1994 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1994]] || [[Andre Patterson (American football)|Andre Patterson]] || [[American West Conference]] || 7–4 || 3–0
|-
| [[2004 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|2004]] || rowspan="3"|[[Rich Ellerson]] || rowspan="4"|[[Great West Football Conference]] || 9–2 || 4–1
|-
| [[2005 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|2005]]† || 9–4 || 4–1
|-
| [[2008 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|2008]] || 8–3 || 3–0
|-
| [[2011 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|2011]]† || rowspan="2"|[[Tim Walsh (American football)|Tim Walsh]] || 6–5 || 3–1
|-
| [[2012 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|2012]]† || [[Big Sky Conference]] || 9–3 || 7–1
|-align="center"
| colspan=3 style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Cal Poly Mustangs|border=0|color=white}}" | '''Conference championships'''
| colspan=3 style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Cal Poly Mustangs|border=0|color=white}}" | '''20'''
|}
† Co-champions

==Head coaches==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Cal Poly Mustangs|No.|Coach|Tenure|Seasons|Record|Pct.|Bowls/playoffs|Conference titles}}

|-
| 1 || [[D. W. Schlosser]]|| 1915–1917 || 3 || 4–3–1 || .563 || 0 || 0
|-
| 2 || [[Herman Hess (coach)|Herman Hess]]|| 1919–1920 || 2 || 4–4 || .500 || 0 || 0
|-
| 3 || [[Al Agosti]]|| 1921–1932 || 11 || 32–44–5 || .425 || 0 || 0
|- 
| 4 || [[Howie O'Daniels]] || 1933–1941, 1946–1947 || 11 || 56–33–6 || .621 || 0 || 0
|-
| 5 || [[Bob Dakan]]|| 1942 || 1 || 4–3 || .571 || 0 || 0
|-
| 6 || [[Ron Henderson (American football)|Ron Henderson]]|| 1945 || 1 || 1–5–1 || .167 || 0 || 0
|-
| 7 || [[Chuck Pavelko]] || 1948–1949 || 2 || 7–11 || .389 || 0 || 0
|-
| 8 || [[LeRoy Hughes]] || 1950–1961 || 12 || 72–38–1 || {{winpct|72|39|1}} || 0 || 2 (1952, 1953)
|-
| 9 || [[Sheldon Harden]] || 1962–1967 || 6 || 17–42 || .288 || 0 || 0
|-
| 10 || [[Joe Harper (American football)|Joe Harper]] || 1968–1981 || 14 || 96–43–4 || .662 || 2 (1978, 1980) || 10 (1969–1973, 1976–1980)
|-
| 11 || [[Jim Sanderson (American football)|Jim Sanderson]] || 1982–1986 || 5 || 26–27 || .491 || 0 || 1 (1982)
|-
| 12 || [[Lyle Setencich]] || 1987–1993 || 7 || 41–29–2 || .583 || 1 (1990) || 1 (1990)
|-
| 13 || [[Andre Patterson (American football)|Andre Patterson]] || 1994–1996 || 3 || 17–16 || .515 || 0 || 1 (1994)
|-
| 14 || [[Larry Welsh]]|| 1997–2000 || 4 || 19–25 || .432 || 0 || 0
|-
| 15 || [[Rich Ellerson]] || 2001–2008 || 8 || 56–34 || .622 || 2 (2005, 2008) || 3 (2004, 2005, 2008)
|-
| 16 || [[Tim Walsh (American football)|Tim Walsh]] || 2009–2019 || 11 || 59–66 || {{winpct|59|66}} || 2 (2012, 2016) || 2 (2011, 2012)
|-
| 17 || [[Beau Baldwin]] || 2020–2022 || 3 || 4–21 || .160 || 0 || 0
|-
| 18 || [[Paul Wulff]] || 2023–present || 2 || 6–16 || {{Winning percentage|6|16}} || 0 || 0
|}

==Division II Playoffs results==
The Mustangs have appeared in the Division II playoffs three times with an overall record of 4–2. They were National Champions in 1980.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Cal Poly Mustangs|Year|Round|Opponent|Result}}
|-
| [[1978 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs|1978]] || Quarterfinals || Winston-Salem State || L, 10–17
|-
| [[1980 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs|1980]] || Quarterfinals<br />Semifinals<br />National Championship Game ||  	Jacksonville State<br />Santa Clara<br />Eastern Illinois || '''W''', 15–0<br />'''W''', 38–14<br />'''W''', 21–13
|-
| [[1990 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs|1990]] || First Round<br />Quarterfinals || Cal State Northridge<br />North Dakota State || '''W''', 14–7<br />L, 0–47
|}

==Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results==
The Mustangs have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs four times with an overall record of 1–4.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Cal Poly Mustangs|Year|Round|Opponent|Result}}
|-
| [[2005 NCAA Division I-AA football season#Postseason|2005]] || First Round<br />Quarterfinals || Montana<br />Texas State || '''W''', 35–31<br />L, 7–14
|-
| [[2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season#Postseason|2008]] || First Round || Weber State || L, 35–49
|-
| [[2012 NCAA Division I Football Championship|2012]] || Second Round || Sam Houston State || L, 16–18
|-
| [[2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season#Postseason|2016]] || First Round || [[2016 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || L, 21–35
|}

==Bowl games==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Cal Poly Mustangs|Date|Bowl|Coach|Opponent|Result}}
|-
| December 9, 1972 || [[Camellia Bowl (1961–1980)|Camellia Bowl]] || [[Joe Harper (American football)|Joe Harper]] || [[North Dakota Fighting Hawks football|North Dakota]] || L, 21–38
|}

==Home stadiums==
*1915-1934
:Various Sports Fields -San Luis Obispo, CA

*1935-current
:'''Mustang Memorial Field Presented by Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center'''
:Capacity (11,075)
{{Main|Alex G. Spanos Stadium}}
'''Mustang Memorial Field''', formerly known as '''Mustang Stadium''' and then '''Alex G. Spanos Stadium''', is an 11,075-seat [[multi-purpose stadium]] on the campus of [[California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo|California Polytechnic State University]] (Cal Poly). It&nbsp;is the home field of the [[Cal Poly Mustangs]] football and [[Cal Poly Mustangs men's soccer|soccer]] [[Cal Poly Mustangs women's soccer|teams]]. 
The stadium was renovated largely from funding via the late [[Alex Spanos]], a Cal Poly alumnus, American billionaire real estate developer, founder of the [[A. G. Spanos Companies]], and then-majority owner of the [[Los Angeles Chargers|Chargers]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL).
[[File:Alex G. Spanos Stadium (San Luis Obispo).jpg|thumb|left|200px|Alex G. Spanos Stadium grandstand]]
Originally opened {{Time ago|1935}} in 1935 with a capacity of 8,500, the stadium was expanded in 2006 to its current capacity and, following the completion of a $21.5-million renovation, was then renamed '''Alex G. Spanos Stadium''' <ref>{{Cite news |last=Milne |first=Brian |date=November 18, 2006 |title=Notebook |pages=D2 |work=The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cal Poly Dedicates Alex G. Spanos Stadium Nov. 18 |date=22 November 2006 |work=Cal Poly News & Events |url=http://calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2006/November/spanos_dedication.html |access-date=7 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621045005/http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2006/November/spanos_dedication.html |archive-date=21 June 2010 }}</ref>
Previous expansions to the stadium's steel east-side grandstands were completed in 1972<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nicholls |first=Wayne |date=August 21, 1972 |title=1,500 new seats added to stadium |pages=7 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref> and 1979.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosenberg |first=Mark |date=September 27, 1979 |title=Poly stadium enlarged |pages=B-10 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref>
In [[2013 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|2013]], Cal Poly replaced the south end zone rented stands with permanent aluminum stands improving handicapped access. Additionally, Cal Poly renovated the lower portion of the older east-side bleachers to add handicapped seats and improve accessibility and egress. The new south endzone stands increased capacity by 345 seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/04/03/2455766_more-seats-in-spanos-stadium.html?rh=1 |title=More seats in Spanos Stadium &#124; Cal Poly &#124; SanLuisObispo |access-date=2014-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103080140/http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/04/03/2455766_more-seats-in-spanos-stadium.html?rh=1 |archive-date=2014-11-03 }}</ref>
Artist renderings of further increasing the stadium's capacity to 25,000 were released in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksby.com/news/cal-poly-releases-sketch-of-field-of-dreams/ |title=Cal Poly releases sketch of field of dreams |access-date=2014-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103075727/http://www.ksby.com/news/cal-poly-releases-sketch-of-field-of-dreams/ |archive-date=2014-11-03 }}</ref>
The playing field is aligned north-northwest to south-southeast at an approximate [[elevation]] of {{convert|300|ft|round=5|spell=in}} above [[sea level]]. Formerly natural grass, [[FieldTurf]] was installed in [[2022 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|2022]].
In November 2022, the university announced the facility would be renamed '''Mustang Memorial Field''' Presented by Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center, reflecting a new 10-year naming rights agreement between the college and the healthcare organization.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Cal Poly's Football and Soccer Stadium Has a New Field Name |publisher=Cal Poly Athletics |url=https://gopoly.com/news/2022/11/11/cal-polys-football-and-soccer-stadium-has-a-new-name.aspx |access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref>

== Rivalries and yearly matchup trophies ==

===UC Davis===
'''"Battle for the Golden Horseshoe"'''
{{Main|Battle for the Golden Horseshoe}}

Cal Poly's most prominent current rivalry in football is with in-state [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]] opponent [[UC Davis Aggies football|UC Davis]], commemorated by the [[Battle for the Golden Horseshoe]] trophy. In the series dating to 1939, the Aggies hold the lead, 27–20–2.

===Sacramento State===
While not commemorated with a trophy, Cal Poly and [[Sacramento State Hornets football|Sacramento State]] are designated as 'protected rivals' in scheduling by the [[Big Sky Conference]], meaning they are guaranteed to play each other in foreseeable schedules.<ref>{{Cite web |last=frank.gogola@406mtsports.com |first=FRANK GOGOLA Missoulian |title=Montana, Montana State get new protected rivals in Big Sky Conference play for 2022-24 seasons |url=https://406mtsports.com/college/big-sky-conference/montana-state-university/montana-montana-state-get-new-protected-rivals-in-big-sky-conference-play-for-2022-24/article_ae86c5df-5033-5806-b1a5-9c24b6fb5c97.html |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=406 MT SPORTS |date=31 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref> From 1967 to 2024, the Mustangs and Hornets have met 43 times, as Cal Poly leads the series 22–21.

===U. of San Diego===

[[San Diego Toreros football|USD]] and Cal Poly have a regional rivalry, as both schools are in-state [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]] opponents south of the [[San Francisco Bay Area|Bay Area]], despite residing in different conferences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastvillagetimes.com/usd-football-should-the-toreros-consider-a-move-to-the-big-sky-conference/ |title=USD Football: Should the Toreros Consider a Move to the Big Sky Conference? |date=November 29, 2017 }}</ref>

===Fresno State===
From 1956 to 1975, Cal Poly and [[Fresno State Bulldogs football|Fresno State]] traded the Victory Bell trophy, which was donated to Cal Poly in 1952.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Buck |first=Claudia |date=October 3, 1975 |title=For Whom The Bell Tolls? Not For Fresno, Says Poly |pages=3 |work=Mustang Daily |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3344&context=studentnewspaper}}</ref> The trophy, which weighed about 200 pounds,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 14, 1966 |title=Fresno trip holds thrills |pages=1 |work=El Mustang |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2277&context=studentnewspaper}}</ref> was ultimately retired due to repeated theft.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Beck |first=Stan |title=College Sports Traditions |publisher=Scarecrow Press |year=2013 |isbn=978-0810891203 |pages=255 |language=English}}</ref> The two programs didn't play each other from 1986 through 2009, but brought back matchups in 2010,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-10-03 |title='Dogs pick up third win, 38-17 |url=https://collegian.csufresno.edu/2010/10/dogs-lead-at-halftime-21-17/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=The Collegian |language=en-US}}</ref> 2013,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-08 |title=A Burse of Speed: Bulldogs cruise past Cal Poly in 41-25 win |url=https://collegian.csufresno.edu/2013/09/47060/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=The Collegian |language=en-US}}</ref> 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-12 |title=Fresno State vs. Cal Poly: Bulldogs Take Care Of Business |url=https://mwwire.com/2021/09/12/fresno-state-vs-cal-poly-bulldogs-take-care-of-business/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Mountain West Wire |language=en-US}}</ref> and 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cal Poly vs. Fresno State - Game Summary - September 1, 2022 - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401413224 |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> In the 46-game all-time series, Fresno State leads 34–10–2.

==Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Cal Poly Mustangs|Name|Position|Years|Inducted}}
|-
| [[John Madden]]||[[Defensive tackle|DT]]
| 1957–58
|2006
|-
|[[Bobby Beathard]]
|[[Quarterback|QB]]
|1956–58
|2018
|}

==Professional alumni==
{{see also|List of Cal Poly Mustangs in the NFL draft}}

===All-Time NFL players===
*[[Ramses Barden]] — [[Walter Payton Award]] finalist/[[Wide receiver|WR]], [[New York Giants]]
*[[Jordan Beck (American football)|Jordan Beck]] — [[Buck Buchanan Award]] winner/[[Linebacker|LB]], [[Atlanta Falcons]]
*[[Alex Bravo]] — [[Defensive back|DB]], [[Los Angeles Rams]]
*[[Courtney Brown (defensive back)|Courtney Brown]] — [[Defensive back|DB]], [[Dallas Cowboys]]
*[[Seth Burford]] — [[Quarterback|QB]], [[San Diego Chargers]]
*[[Sal Cesario]] — [[Offensive guard|OL]], [[Dallas Cowboys]]
*[[Jimmy Childs]] — [[Wide receiver|WR]], St. Louis [[Arizona Cardinals|(Arizona) Cardinals]]
*[[Gary Davis (American football)|Gary Davis]] — [[Running back|RB]], [[Miami Dolphins]]
*[[Nick Dzubnar]] — [[Linebacker|LB]], [[Los Angeles Chargers|L.A. Chargers]]/[[Tennessee Titans]]
*[[Fred Ford (American football)|Freddie Ford]] — [[Halfback (American football)|RB]], [[Buffalo Bills]]/[[Los Angeles Chargers|L.A. Chargers]]
*[[Chris Gocong]] — [[Buck Buchanan Award]] winner/[[Linebacker|LB]], [[Philadelphia Eagles]]
*[[Bob Howard (American football)|Bob Howard]] — [[Defensive back|DB]], [[San Diego Chargers]]/[[New England Patriots]]
*[[Asa Jackson]] — [[Cornerback|CB]], [[Baltimore Ravens]]/[[Detroit Lions]]/[[San Francisco 49ers]]
*[[Louis Jackson (American football)|Louis Jackson]] — [[Running back|RB]], [[New York Giants]]
*[[Perry Jeter]] — [[Running back|RB]], [[Chicago Bears]] 
*[[Damone Johnson]] — [[Tight end|TE]], [[Los Angeles Rams]] 
*[[Mel Kaufman]] — [[Linebacker|LB]], winner of two [[Super Bowl]] rings and Captain of [[Washington Redskins|Washington]]
*[[J. J. Koski]] — [[Wide receiver|WR]]/[[Special teams|ST]], [[Los Angeles Rams]]
*[[Kamil Loud]] — [[Wide receiver|WR]], [[Buffalo Bills]]/[[Atlanta Falcons]]
*[[Robbie Martin]] — [[Wide receiver|WR]]/[[Return specialist|KR]], [[Detroit Lions]]/[[Indianapolis Colts]]
*[[LeCharls McDaniel]] — [[Cornerback|CB]], [[Washington Commanders|Washington]]/[[Super Bowl XVII]] champion
*[[Don Milan]] — [[Quarterback|QB]], [[Green Bay Packers]]
*[[Dana Nafziger]] — [[Linebacker|LB]], [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
*[[Kassim Osgood]] — [[Pro Bowl]] [[Special-teams|special teamer]], [[San Diego Chargers]]
*[[David Richardson (American football)|David Richardson]] — [[Defensive back|DB]], [[Jacksonville Jaguars]]
*[[Brian Roche (American football)|Brian Roche]] — [[Tight end|TE]], [[San Diego Chargers]]
*[[Stan Sheriff]] — [[Center (gridiron football)|C]]/[[Linebacker|LB]], [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]/[[San Francisco 49ers]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quarterback Y.A. Tittle and Stan Sheriff of the San Francisco 49ers... |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/quarterback-y-a-tittle-and-stan-sheriff-of-the-san-news-photo/874172776 |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=Getty Images |date=13 November 2017 |language=en-us}}</ref>
*[[Paul Sverchek]] — [[Defensive line|DL]], [[Minnesota Vikings]]
*[[Chris Thomas (American football)|Chris Thomas]] — [[Wide receiver|WR]], [[San Francisco 49ers]]/[[Kansas City Chiefs]]
*[[Cecil Turner]] — [[Wide receiver|WR]]/[[Kick returner|KR]], [[Chicago Bears]]
*[[James Tuthill]] — [[Placekicker|K]], [[Washington Commanders|Washington]]
*[[Fred Whittingham]] — [[Linebacker|LB]], [[New Orleans Saints]]

=== Canadian Football League players ===
*[[Alli Abrew]] — [[Quarterback|QB]], [[Saskatchewan Roughriders|Saskatchewan]]
*[[Vic Buccola]] — [[Guard (gridiron football)|G]], [[Saskatchewan Roughriders|Saskatchewan]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 11, 1956 |title=Cal Poly's Vic Buccola Signs Contract With Pro Grid Club |pages=9 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref>
*[[Chris Coleman (wide receiver, born 1999)|Chris Coleman]] — [[Wide receiver|WR]], [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats|Hamilton]]
*Burton DeKoning — [[Linebacker|LB]], [[Ottawa Redblacks|Ottawa]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burton De Koning |url=https://www.cfl.ca/players/burton-de-koning/161986/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}}</ref>
*Chris Judge — [[Outside linebacker|Edge]], [[2019 CFL Draft]], 8th Rd. (71st pick<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 CFL Draft Archives |url=https://www.cfl.ca/draft-tracker/2019/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}}</ref>) – [[Saskatchewan Roughriders|Saskatchewan]]
*Gary Kerr — WR, [[Calgary Stampeders|Calgary]]; nominee for 1972 Rookie of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |title=CFL Awards |url=https://www.stampeders.com/cfl-awards/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Calgary Stampeders |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Patrick McGuirk|Pat McGuirk]] — [[Defensive back|DB]], [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers|Winnipeg]] (also [[Arena Football League|AFL]]/[[WLAF (American football league)|WLAF]])
*Marty Mohamed — [[Linebacker|LB]], [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats|Hamilton]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamilton Tiger-Cats |url=https://ticats.ca/ticats-add-trio-as-training-camp-kicks-off/ |access-date=2022-07-13 |language=en-US}}</ref>
*Cameron Ontko — [[Linebacker|LB]], [[Calgary Stampeders|Calgary]]/[[Saskatchewan Roughriders|Saskatchewan]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cameron Ontko |url=https://www.cfl.ca/players/cameron-ontko/161365/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}}</ref>
*Steve Prejean — DE, Toronto<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 5, 2002 |title=Prejean and Kroeker Sign Pro Deals |pages=C2 |work=The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA)}}</ref>
*[[Mark Restelli]] — [[Linebacker|LB]], [[Edmonton Elks|Edmonton]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-09-12 |title=Esks bring back Restelli; sign a pair; release four |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2011/09/12/esks-bring-back-restelli-sign-a-pair/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}}</ref>/[[Montreal Alouettes|Montreal]]
*Chris Santini — [[Outside linebacker|OLB]], [[Ottawa Redblacks|Ottawa]]<ref>{{Citation |title=Former Cal Poly linebacker Chris Santini signs with Ottawa Redblacks | date=May 14, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbVlMlKD9EQ |language=en |access-date=2022-06-18}}</ref>
*[[Jeff Smith (wide receiver, born 1962)|Jeff Smith]] — [[Wide receiver|WR]], [[Toronto Argonauts|Toronto]] (also [[United States Football League|USFL]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeff Smith CFL Stats - Pro Football Archives |url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/smit20600.html |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=www.profootballarchives.com}}</ref>
*Bob Trudeau — RB, [[Toronto Argonauts|Toronto]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 3, 1978 |title=Trudeau signs with Canadian football club |pages=16 |work=San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune}}</ref>
*[[Antonio Warren]] — RB, [[Calgary Stampeders|Calgary]]/[[BC Lions|BC]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Antonio Warren football Statistics on StatsCrew.com |url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-warreant001 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=www.statscrew.com |language=en}}</ref>
*Chris White — [[Defensive line|DL]], [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamilton Tiger-Cats |url=https://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-sign-four-defenders/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== NFL Preseason/Practice Squad/Mini-Camp veterans ===

* Chris Brown — QB/WR, [[Dallas Cowboys]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-07 |title=Chris Brown hopes to turn tryout into lasting impression |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4751005/chris-brown-hopes-to-turn-tryout-into-lasting-impression |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
* Charles Daum — DT, [[Dallas Cowboys]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports Briefs |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/07/28/Sports-Briefs/9825396676800/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>
* Sullivan Grosz — NT, [[Houston Texans]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Starr |first=Patrick D. |title=Texans Release Two Rookies in Coyle and Grosz |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/news/texans-release-two-rookies-in-coyle-and-grosz |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Sports Illustrated |date=18 June 2014 |language=en}}</ref>
* Dominique Johnson — WR, [[Minnesota Vikings]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dominique Johnson Stats, News, Bio |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14411/dominique-johnson |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
* Chris Jones — [[Free Safety|FS]], [[Dallas Cowboys]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1981 |title=Poly gridders sign pro pact |pages=9 |work=Mustang Daily |url=https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3914&context=studentnewspaper}}</ref>
* Dustin Kroeker — OT, [[Seattle Seahawks]]/[[Detroit Lions]]/[[Rhein Fire (NFL Europe)|Rhein Fire]] ([[NFL Europe]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lions put OL Rogers on IR |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/08/28/Lions-put-OL-Rogers-on-IR/94061030566533/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>
* Josh Letuligasenoa — OLB/DE, [[Green Bay Packers]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Green Bay NFL {{!}} KRAUSE SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY |url=https://krausebrad.photoshelter.com/image/I000051nsTqFJ_sg |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=krausebrad.photoshelter.com}}</ref>
* Rich Max — [[Center (gridiron football)|C]], [[Oakland Raiders]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 21, 1960 |title=Rich Max Given Ax by Raiders |pages=8 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref>
* Johnny Millard — ILB, [[St. Louis Rams]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyons |first=Joe |title=Cal Poly LB Millard looking to make the most of a chance with the Rams |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/cal-poly-lb-millard-looking-to-make-the-most-of-a-chance-with-the-rams/article_371b5fc3-914e-5ec3-a912-f4e28db79d66.html |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=STLtoday.com |date=15 June 2014 |language=en}}</ref>
* Brian Moore — [[Center (gridiron football)|C]], [[San Francisco 49ers]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1985 |title=Cal Poly's Moore waived by 49ers |pages=9 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref>
* Patrick Moore — DT, [[Chicago Bears]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wallner |first=Peter |date=July 10, 1991 |title=Former Poly players to meet in Berlin while NFL job hunting |pages=9 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref>
* Joe Protheroe — RB/FB, [[San Francisco 49ers]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-04 |title=Football's Joe Protheroe participates in 49ers Rookie Minicamp |url=https://mustangnews.net/footballs-joe-protheroe-participates-in-49ers-rookie-minicamp/ |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Mustang News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Marshall Samuels — DT, [[San Francisco 49ers]]
* [[Kyle Shotwell]] — [[Buck Buchanan Award]] recipient/[[Inside linebacker|ILB]], [[Oakland Raiders]]<ref>{{Cite web |author=James |first=Marty |title=Ex-Cal Poly star becomes NFL student |url=https://napavalleyregister.com/sports/ex-cal-poly-star-becomes-nfl-student/article_327746be-cb1d-5091-9f1b-150ca33e2bac.html |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Napa Valley Register |date=7 August 2007 |language=en}}</ref>/[[Indianapolis Colts]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts Kyle Shotwell during an NFL preseason football... |url=https://www.gettyimages.co.nz/detail/news-photo/indianapolis-colts-kyle-shotwell-during-an-nfl-preseason-news-photo/1231917364 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Getty Images |date=25 March 2021 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
* Cole Stanford — WR/all-purpose, [[Kansas City Chiefs]]/[[New England Patriots]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patriots release rookie WR Cole Stanford |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-rookie-wr-cole-stanford-200076 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=www.patriots.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Greg Thompson — DB, [[Denver Broncos]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 1, 1986 |title=Broncos release Poly free agent Thompson |pages=14 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref>
* Tre'dale Tolver — WR/PR, [[Cleveland Browns]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tredale Tolver Cleveland Browns Freeagent Wide Editorial Stock Photo - Stock Image |url=https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/browns-camp-football-berea-usa-6030768ab |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Shutterstock |language=en}}</ref>
* Garrett Weichman — [[Lineman (gridiron football)|OL]], [[2024 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=First Look: 2024 Rookie headshots |publisher=Indianapolis Colts}}</ref>
* Deonte Williams — RB, [[Oakland Raiders]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Damien |first=Levi |date=2013-05-07 |title=Raiders UDFA profile: Deonte Williams |url=https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2013/5/7/4307704/oakland-raiders-udfa-player-profile-deonte-williams |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Silver And Black Pride |language=en}}</ref>
* Scott Winnewisser — OT, [[New Orleans Saints]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints Sign OL Scott Winnewisser |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-sign-ol-scott-winnewisser-7407131 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=www.neworleanssaints.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Additional pro alumni ===

* Andre Broadous — QB, [[Spokane Shock|Spokane]]/[[Tri-Cities Fever|Tri-Cities]] ([[Arena Football League|AFL]])
* [[Jonathan Dally]] — QB, [[Danube Dragons|Danube]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Dally Photos - Free & Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime |url=https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/jonathan-dally.html |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Jonathan Dally Photos - Free & Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime |language=en}}</ref> ([[Austrian Football League|Austria]])/[[Milano Seamen|Milano]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-06 |title=Milano Seamen Win Italian Championship in front of 4,500 |url=https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/milano-seamen-win-italian-championship-in-front-of-4500/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=American Football International |language=en-US}}</ref> ([[Italian Football League]])
* Mike Daum — [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|OT]], [[Oakland Invaders]] ([[United States Football League|USFL]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=OAK_84 |url=https://usflrevisited.webs.com/oak84.htm |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=United States Football League - Revisited}}</ref>
* Freddie Gaines — S/OLB, [[Bay Area Panthers]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]])
* Adam Herzing — WR, [[Rhein Fire (NFL Europe)|Rhein Fire]]/[[Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe)|Frankfurt Galaxy]] ([[NFL Europe]])
* Vaughn Jarrett — CB, [[San Jose SaberCats|San Jose]] ([[Arena Football League|AFL]])
* Darrell Jones — [[Wide receiver|WR]]/[[Return specialist|KR]], [[Arizona Rattlers|Arizona]] ([[Arena Football League|AFL]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darrell Jones football Statistics on StatsCrew.com |url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-jonesdar004 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=www.statscrew.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Kyle Lewis — WR/RB, [[San Diego Fleet]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-23 |title=Fleet Roster Moves: Re-sign Kyle Lewis {{!}} East Village Times |url=https://www.eastvillagetimes.com/fleet-re-sign-wr-kyle-lewis-place-ol-john-montelus-on-ir/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> ([[Alliance of American Football|AAF]])
* [[Dan Loney]] — [[Offensive line|OL]], [[San Jose SaberCats|San Jose]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dan Loney {{!}} ArenaFan.com |url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/Dan_Loney-2848/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=www.arenafan.com}}</ref> ([[Arena Football League|AFL]])
* Ryan Shotwell — DE, [[Søllerød Gold Diggers|Sollerod]] ([[Danish American Football Federation|DAFF]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anders Møllenberg |date=2010-10-04 |title=Magtforholdet i amerikansk fodbold er tippet fra Vejle til Søllerød |url=https://vafo.dk/artikel/magtforholdet-i-amerikansk-fodbold-er-tippet-fra-vejle-til-s%C3%B8ller%C3%B8d |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=vafo.dk |language=da}}</ref>
* Fred Stewart — OG, [[The Hawaiians (WFL)|Honolulu]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 28, 1974 |title=Fred Stewart inks pact with Hawaii |pages=13 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref> ([[World Football League]])
* [[DJ Stuckey]] — OL, [[Quad City Steamwheelers (2018)|Quad City]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]])

=== International Federation of American Football Team USA members ===

* Kenny Chicoine — [[Safety position|S]], [[2007 IFAF World Championship|2007 World Championship]] gold medalist ([[Kawasaki, Kanagawa|Kawasaki, Japan]])

=== Head coaching/football executive/athletics director alumni ===
*[[Marijon Ancich]] — [[Fullback (gridiron football)|FB]]/[[Defensive back|DB]]/[[Linebacker|LB]], second-winningest high school football coach in [[California Interscholastic Federation|CIF]] history<ref>{{Cite web  |date=2018-12-09 |title=Marijon Ancich, second-winningest football coach in California high school history, dies |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/la-sp-marijon-ancich-obit-20181209-story.html |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> behind [[Bob Ladouceur]] ([[De La Salle High School (Concord, California)|De La Salle HS]], Concord)
*[[Bobby Beathard]] — [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] general manager/executive, [[Washington Commanders|Washington]]/[[San Diego Chargers|San Diego]]
*Carl Bowser — 1988 [[California Community College Athletic Association|CCCAA]] championship-winning head coach for [[Bakersfield Renegades|Bakersfield College]]/1996 [[Kern County, California|Kern County]] Sports Hall of Fame inductee
*[[Jim Criner]] — [[1980 Boise State Broncos football team|1980 Boise State]] [[1980 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game|championship-winning]] head coach/[[Las Vegas Outlaws (XFL)|Las Vegas Outlaws]] ([[XFL (2001)|XFL]]) head coach
*[[John Madden]] — [[Oakland Raiders]] Super Bowl-winning head coach/[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee/[[Emmy Awards|Emmy Award]]-winning broadcaster/[[Madden NFL|video game entrepreneur]]
*Tyler Mariucci — [[California Baptist Lancers|California Baptist]] athletics director
*[[Carl Smith (American football)|Carl Smith]] — [[Seattle Seahawks]] associate head coach<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seattle Seahawks |url=https://www.seahawks.com/team/coaches-roster/carl-smith |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=www.seahawks.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Gilbert H. Stork|Gil Stork]] — [[California Community College Athletic Association|CCCAA]] Board of Directors member<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2019-02-06 |title=Cuesta College names gymnasium after longtime president and former CCCAA Board of Director, Dr. Gil Stork |url=https://www.cccaasports.org/conference/western/Releases/Stork_Cuesta |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Ted Tollner]] — [[USC Trojans football|USC]]/[[San Diego State Aztecs football|San Diego State]] head coach

=== Alumni in NFL media ===

* Cam Inman, [[San Francisco 49ers]] beat reporter/columnist for [[Bay Area News Group]]/author of ''The Best Bay Area Sports Arguments'' book<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-20 |title=From Coast to Coast: Cam Inman and his Pursuit of Journalism Excellence |url=https://frontofficesports.com/from-coast-to-coast-cam-inman-and-his-pursuit-of-journalism-excellence/ |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Front Office Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>

== "Pride of the Pacific" marching band routines ==
[[California Polytechnic State University Mustang Band|Cal Poly's band]] is a popular staple at home football games, performing a wide variety of halftime shows and postgame renditions, along with in-game music following first downs, touchdowns and significant defensive plays. On football gamedays, the band's rehearsals, for a playbook of roughly 70 charts, typically start at about 9 a.m. on campus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mustang Spotlight: 'One Band, One Sound' |url=https://gopoly.com/news/2020/9/21/general-mustang-spotlight-one-band-one-sound.aspx |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=Cal Poly |language=en}}</ref> The band members take a Field Show Marching Skills class as part of their curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mustang Band - Music Department - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo |url=https://music.calpoly.edu/ensembles/mband/ |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=music.calpoly.edu}}</ref>

== Future non-conference opponents ==
Announced schedules as of March 20, 2025.<ref name="nonconfopp">{{cite web |title=Cal Poly Mustangs Football Future Schedules |publisher=FBSchedules.com |url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/cal-poly/ |access-date=March 20, 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Cal Poly Mustangs|2025|2026|2027|2028|2029|2030|2032}}
|-
| at [[San Diego Toreros football|San Diego]]
| at [[Colgate Raiders football|Colgate]]
| at [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]]
| at [[Fresno State Bulldogs football|Fresno State]]
| [[Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football|Stephen F. Austin]]
| at [[San Jose State Spartans football|San Jose State]]
| at [[Wyoming Cowboys football|Wyoming]]
|-
| at [[Utah Utes football|Utah]]
| at [[San Jose State Spartans football|San Jose State]]
| 
| 
|
|
|
|-
| [[Western Oregon Wolves|Western Oregon]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| at [[Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football|Stephen F. Austin]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Externally links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Cal Poly Mustangs football navbox}}
{{California Polytechnic State University}}
{{Big Sky Conference football navbox}}

[[Category:Cal Poly Mustangs football| ]]
[[Category:American football teams established in 1915]]
[[Category:1915 establishments in California]]