Scrimmage Wraps Up First Cal Poly Spring Camp in Three Years

Zion Hall breaks off a nine-yard run on a draw play.

Zion Hall (19) breaks off a nine-yard run on a draw play as Tyler Charbonneau (59) prepares for a downfield block during Saturday's Spring Game at Doerr Family Field.

Photo by: Owen Main | Cal Poly Athletics

Scrimmage Wraps Up First Cal Poly Spring Camp in Three Years

4/30/2022 3:30:00 PM | Football

Zach Hernandez breaks up a pass. — **Zach Hernandez breaks up a pass intended for tight end Patrick Roberg.**

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Cal Poly's first spring football camp in three years is over and head coach Beau Baldwin rated the amount of progress his squad made during the 15 practice sessions as "a ton."

"With the combination of work in the weight room, on the field, all the little things we're doing, we made a ton of progress this spring," Baldwin said after the annual Spring Game in front of hundreds of fans and former Mustang players at Doerr Family Field.

"We were limited, especially limited with certain guys, so I wasn't too worried about exactly how the 20 to 30 plays were run," Baldwin added. "I just wanted to see the energy finishes, wanted to get some good on-one competitions on film and I wanted to propel the guys into a great offseason. So, just a ton of progress."

After the one-on-one drills and special teams work, the offense scored twice during the 24-play 11-on-11 scrimmage. Unfortunately for Kahliq Paulette, who ran 24 yards, and Conor Bruce, who passed 10 yards to Jake Woods, both scores were wiped out by penalties.

Bruce was 5-for-8 passing for 27 yards during his two drives while Paulette completed one of two passes for five yards. Bryce Weiner was unsuccessful on his four pass attempts.

Spencer Brasch, Jaden Jones and Jackson Pavitt were held out of the scrimmage. Adam Garwood caught two passes while Woods, Mitch Anderson, Patrick Roberg and Zion Hall each made one catch.

Zach Hernandez intercepted Bruce on the final play of the first drive, returning it 20 yards. Sacks were recorded by Sky Ellis, Michael Otterstedt and Ian Dong while Hernandez, Connor Heffler and David Meyer all broke up passes thrown by Weiner.

For the 90 or so players who participated in spring drills over the last 30 days, it's back to the weight room, film and team meetings until preseason camp opens in late July. The 2022 season opener is Sept. 1 at Fresno State.

"I told the players after the scrimmage that I've had as much fun in the last month as I've had in the 27 or 28 months I've been here and that's because of the guys and getting to do this for the first time."