1-0 , 0-0
San Diego
0-1 , 0-0
Mustangs Open 2025 With Dominant Win Over San Diego
8/30/2025 9:02:00 PM | Football
Cal Poly's offense totaled 469 yards, 335 passing and 134 rushing. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Ty Dieffenbach made a huge statement in his Mustang debut. The transfer from Pitt was 18-27 passing for 263 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 69 yards and a score for 332 all-purpose yards.
Redshirt senior wide receiver Michael Briscoe led the way with seven catches for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jordan Garrion had four receptions for 90 yards.
Cal Poly's defense held USD to 16 total yards in the first quarter and didn't allow a first down. The defense played strong all game, led by linebacker Mikey D'Amato's team-high 16 tackles and linebacker Kenny Olson's 10 tackles and two sacks.
The Mustangs got off to a strong start, scoring a touchdown on the opening drive of the game. They went 75 yards in 11 plays in just over three minutes. Dieffenbach was 4-6 for 54 yards on the drive, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Briscoe.
After Cal Poly's defense forced a three-and-out on San Diego's opening drive, the Mustang offense once again moved the ball down the field. Cal Poly went 72 yards in 10 plays, once again capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Dieffenbach to Briscoe.
With the Mustangs up 17-0 late in the first half, Dieffenbach marched Cal Poly 91 yards down the field with four plays in just over a minute. Dieffenbach pulled off a 43 yard run all the way to the end zone to put the Mustangs ahead 24-0 with a minute left in the half. San Diego converted a hail mary touchdown as time expired in the first half to make it 24-7 at the break.
The teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter to make it 27-10 heading into the fourth. San Diego opened the fourth quarter with a 79 yard rushing touchdown to make it 27-17.
Cal Poly pushed its lead up to 34-17 with 12:29 left in the game following a one-yard rushing touchdown by transfer running Tyrei Washington. That capped off a seven play, 64-yard drive.
The Mustangs' defense held strong the rest of the fourth, not allowing anymore points. The offense put up one final touchdown with just under two minutes left as transfer quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr. found sophomore tight end Alek Marshall in the back of the end zone on a 14-yard pass to make it 41-17.
Cal Poly will stay on the road next Saturday, September 6 when heading to Salt Lake City to face FBS foe Utah. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. PT on ESPN+.
Team Stats
CAL 7, USD 0
CAL - Briscoe,Michael 12 yd pass from Dieffenbach,Ty (Dimauro,Gianluca kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:08
CAL 14, USD 0
CAL - Briscoe,Michael 14 yd pass from Dieffenbach,Ty (Dimauro,Gianluca kick) 10 plays, 72 yards, TOP 04:31
CAL 17, USD 0
CAL - Dimauro,Gianluca 30 yd field goal 12 plays, 63 yards, TOP 05:34
CAL 24, USD 0
CAL - Dieffenbach,Ty 43 yd run (Serna,Noah kick), 4 plays, 91 yards, TOP 01:16
CAL 24, USD 7
USD - Schlom,Bradley 45 yd pass from Nankil,Dom (Salazar,Emiliano kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:05
CAL 24, USD 10
USD - Salazar,Emiliano 35 yd field goal 9 plays, 47 yards, TOP 00:39
CAL 27, USD 10
CAL - Dimauro,Gianluca 26 yd field goal 11 plays, 57 yards, TOP 03:32
CAL 27, USD 17
USD - Criter,Adam 79 yd run (Salazar,Emiliano kick), 3 plays, 88 yards, TOP 00:59
CAL 34, USD 17
CAL - Washington,Tyrei 1 yd run (Serna,Noah kick), 7 plays, 63 yards, TOP 02:14
CAL 41, USD 17
CAL - Marshall,Alek 14 yd pass from Grigsby Jr.,Anthony (Dimauro,Gianluca kick) 5 plays, 70 yards, TOP 01:31
