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.
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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.Â
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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.
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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.
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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). Â 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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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.Â
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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.
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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.
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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). Â 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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Players Mentioned
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Sunday, October 04
