Cal Poly Prepares to Face No. 3 Montana State in Big Sky Clash

The Cal Poly football program is preparing to travel to Bozeman to face defending national champion and third-ranked Montana State on Saturday at Bobcat Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon Pacific time, with the game broadcasting live on ESPN+. The Mustangs enter the matchup looking to snap a two-game losing streak as they begin a challenging stretch of three consecutive games against ranked opponents to conclude the regular season.

Cal Poly currently holds a 4-5 overall record and a 3-3 mark in Big Sky Conference play, placing them seventh in the league standings. The team was originally picked to finish 11th in the 13-team Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll. Meanwhile, Montana State sits at 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference action, sharing the top spot in the Big Sky standings alongside Northern Arizona. The Bobcats enter the weekend boasting the conference's top-ranked defense and highest-scoring offense, averaging 39.5 points per game.

The Mustangs' offense features an explosive passing attack led by quarterback Anthony Grigsby, Jr., who has recorded 2,142 passing yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Head coach Brent Vigen of Montana State acknowledged the challenges posed by the Cal Poly signal-caller, noting his quick release, arm talent, and play-extending capabilities. Wide receiver Tayvion McCoy has also been a major contributor for the Mustangs, hauling in 53 receptions for 749 yards and four touchdowns.

Cal Poly's defense relies heavily on standout linebacker Kenny Olson, who leads the Big Sky and ranks eighth among FCS players with 81 total tackles on the year. Teammate RL Miller anchors the secondary with 48 solo tackles and three interceptions. However, the Mustang defense will face a formidable test against a surging Montana State offensive line that has improved significantly in recent weeks, rushing for at least 220 yards in each of their last four games.

Montana State head coach Brent Vigen emphasized the importance of finding ways to win and improving team consistency following a narrow 38-33 conference victory over Weber State last week. Despite securing two straight wins, Vigen noted that the Bobcats are striving for a more complete performance against Cal Poly. The Bobcats have historically dominated the series, winning the last seven meetings and holding an 11-10 edge all-time against the Mustangs.

Following Saturday's contest in Bozeman, Cal Poly will return home to host No. 7 Northern Arizona for Senior Day on November 7 at Spanos Stadium. The Mustangs will then observe a bye week before concluding their regular season on November 21 with the 52nd edition of the Battle for Access against No. 20 UC Davis.