Ponder, Weichman, Saunders Earn All-Big Sky Honors
11/21/2023 9:52:00 AM | Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Highlighted by junior defensive lineman Elijah Ponder's place on the All-Big Sky Conference Defense first team, three Mustangs earned postseason honors Tuesday morning.
Joining Ponder – the Big Sky's leader with 10 sacks – among Cal Poly's selections was graduate center Garrett Weichman and sophomore cornerback Donovan Saunders, both selected to their respective All-Big Sky second teams.
Ponder, who also ranks fifth among FCS players with his 10 sacks for 53 collective yards, finished second in Cal Poly's lineup with 52 total tackles. Ponder's 10-sack season – the first double-digit total by a Mustang since 2005 – ranks as the ninth highest total in program single season history. Beginning the year with a season best nine tackles and three sacks in Cal Poly's 27-10 opening victory against San Diego (Sept. 2), Ponder – a starter in 36 straight games for the Mustangs – now ranks seventh all-time with 19.5 career sacks.
Weichman, selected as one of Cal Poly's four captains for 2023 alongside Ponder, started all 11 games for a second successive season. Weichman helped Cal Poly finish second among Big Sky programs in passing offense at 271.0 yards per game.
Saunders finished third among Big Sky players with three interceptions, picking off passes against Lincoln (Sept. 16) and FCS playoff-bound sides Idaho (Oct. 7) and Sacramento State (Nov. 11). Appearing in 10 of 11 games, Saunders twice recorded a career high four tackles at Eastern Washington (Nov. 4) and Sacramento State.
Joining Ponder – the Big Sky's leader with 10 sacks – among Cal Poly's selections was graduate center Garrett Weichman and sophomore cornerback Donovan Saunders, both selected to their respective All-Big Sky second teams.
Ponder, who also ranks fifth among FCS players with his 10 sacks for 53 collective yards, finished second in Cal Poly's lineup with 52 total tackles. Ponder's 10-sack season – the first double-digit total by a Mustang since 2005 – ranks as the ninth highest total in program single season history. Beginning the year with a season best nine tackles and three sacks in Cal Poly's 27-10 opening victory against San Diego (Sept. 2), Ponder – a starter in 36 straight games for the Mustangs – now ranks seventh all-time with 19.5 career sacks.
Weichman, selected as one of Cal Poly's four captains for 2023 alongside Ponder, started all 11 games for a second successive season. Weichman helped Cal Poly finish second among Big Sky programs in passing offense at 271.0 yards per game.
Saunders finished third among Big Sky players with three interceptions, picking off passes against Lincoln (Sept. 16) and FCS playoff-bound sides Idaho (Oct. 7) and Sacramento State (Nov. 11). Appearing in 10 of 11 games, Saunders twice recorded a career high four tackles at Eastern Washington (Nov. 4) and Sacramento State.
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