SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Following its first loss of the season, the Cal Poly football team has dropped in both major national rankings. The Mustangs, which were ranked No. 11 last week, fell to No. 16 in the polls released by The Sports Network and the FCS Coaches. The Mustangs, who opened the season with seven consecutive wins, fell this past Saturday with a 35-29 loss at Sacramento State. The loss also marked the team's first ever defeat in the Big Sky Conference.
The loss dropped Cal Poly from Number 11 in the poll five spots to No. 16. The Mustangs will have an opportunity to improve their national ranking this coming weekend when they travel to face Eastern Washington, which is currently ranked No. 7. The Eagles were previously ranked No. 1 in the country last weekend, but were defeated 30-27 by Southern Utah.
While the game at Eastern Washington will feature two Big Sky teams, it will be designated as a non-conference game. Currently, the Mustangs and Eagles are tied for second place in the Big Sky Conference, with each side sporting identical records of 5-1 in conference action. Northern Arizona, with a record of 5-0, is all alone in first place.
Saturday's game will mark the sixth meeting between Cal Poly and Eastern Washington, with the last coming just last year, a 53-51 triple overtime thriller won by the Eagles in San Luis Obispo. Saturday's game will kickoff at 1:35pm.
