San Diego
Homecoming: Mustangs Back to Host San Diego Saturday on ESPN+
9/16/2026 11:27:00 AM | Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Prior to resuming Big Sky action, the Cal Poly football program completes non-conference play when hosting San Diego on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff on ESPN+ from Mustang Memorial Field is 5 p.m. for Cal Poly (2-1), which seeks its first 3-1 start to a season since 2016. The Mustangs sustained their first setback under first-year head coach Tim Skipper during a 30-20 loss at FBS San Jose State (Sept. 12). San Diego (0-2), meanwhile, opened its year with defeats to No. 6 UC Davis (49-17) and versus No. 24 Idaho State (59-17). With the Mustangs featuring one of the nation’s elite passing threats, three of the Big Sky’s top nine tacklers and steadily climbing the polls, here’s the rundown for Cal Poly’s fourth week of action.
GRIGSBY CEMENTS PLACE UNDER CENTER
Named Mustang starting quarterback the day of Cal Poly’s 38-34, season-opening victory against Idaho (Aug. 28), Anthony Grigsby, Jr., accounted for all five of Cal Poly’s touchdowns and 319 passing yards versus the Vandals to earn Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week praise. He followed with 204 more passing yards and three touchdown completions against Central Washington (Sept. 5) before hitting San Jose State (Sept. 12) for 249 yards. Emerging as one of the top FCS threats, Grigsby ranks sixth nationally with eight passing touchdowns, 14th with 65 completions and 772 yards, 15th with 21.7 completions per game, 18th with 257.3 passing yards per game and 35th with a 63.7 (65-for-102) percent completion percentage. Responsible for 54 of Cal Poly’s 82 points this season (66 percent), Grigsby needs just two more passing yards to match a 2025 total achieved in six appearances. He’s also thrown just two interceptions in 102 attempts.
THE GREEN ZONE
The Big Sky’s sixth leading rusher with 72.3 yards per game, junior running back Jaden Green is also third in kickoff returns at 26.7 yards per attempt. Combined, Green – an offseason transfer from Lehigh – is 23rd among FCS performers with 116.3 all-purpose yards per outing. Green’s first Cal Poly touchdown came, ironically, on a six-yard receiving effort at San Jose State (Sept. 12).
BASH BROTHERS BACK IN BUSINESS
The Big Sky’s top two tacklers from a season ago, linebackers Mikey D’Amato and Kenny Olson are once more climbing the both the national and conference leaderboards. Named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List for the most outstanding defensive player in NCAA Division I FCS, D’Amato ranks second nationally with 36 total tackles, third with 12.0 tackles per game and 14th with 16 solo tackles. With a season best 14 tackles against Idaho (Aug. 28), D’Amato also ranks 18th in program history with 218 during his career. Olson, an All-Big Sky first team selection last fall alongside D’Amato, is 43rd nationally with 25 tackles and 8.3 per game.
MILLER TIME
Backed by a career high 12-tackle performance at San Jose State (Sept. 12), senior defensive back RL Miller provides Cal Poly three of the Big Sky’s top nine tacklers. Cal Poly’s leader with 17 solo tackles, Miller – an offseason transfer from Fresno State – ranks 21st nationally with 28 total efforts.
BIG PLAY TAY
Junior wide receiver Tayvion McCoy’s Cal Poly debut against Idaho included 10 catches for 170 yards and the game-winning reception with nine seconds to play. The Ventura College transfer enters Saturday’s matchup with San Diego ranked 22nd in FCS with 83.0 receiving yards per game.
DUAL THREATS
Senior wide receiver Fidel Pitts and junior running back Misa Paiau became the first Mustangs with both a receiving and rushing touchdown this season after both ran for scores at San Jose State (Sept. 12). Cal Poly’s second leading receiver, Pitts ranks 43rd among FCS players with 70.7 yards per game.
MUSTANGS GAIN GROUND ON THE BALLOT
Receiving votes in a national poll for the first time in 10 years, Cal Poly collected 56 points Monday in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll (10 more than the previous week) and sits just 19 votes behind No. 25 Harvard. Cal Poly also improved to 51 points in the AFCA Top 25 poll (up seven and 19 back of No. 25 Southern Illinois). The Mustangs last collected national poll votes in 2016 with Cal Poly climbing as high as No. 14 en route to an FCS Playoff berth.
CAL POLY VERSUS SAN DIEGO
The Mustangs have prevailed in five of their last six meetings with San Diego dating to 2019 and in nine of 11 all-time matchups.
LOOKING AHEAD (SATURDAY, SEPT. 26)
Having faced opponents from the Big Sky (Idaho), Division II (Central Washington), FCS (San Jose State) and Pioneer Football League (San Diego), Cal Poly resumes conference action at Eastern Washington on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff from Roos Field is 4 p.m. for Cal Poly, which snapped a 10-game series slide against Eastern Washington with a 43-34 home victory to close the 2025 season. Cal Poly has never prevailed at Eastern Washington in seven all-time trips.
- Gates open at 2:30 p.m. and tailgate at 1 p.m.
- Kickoff is 5:02 p.m., streaming live on ESPN+ with Chris Sylvester (play-by-play) and John Kane (color) on the call.
- Tune in to ESPN 1280 AM (San Luis Obispo County) for radio coverage with Max Kelton (PxP) and Stephen Hodges (color) calling the action.
- Live stats are available HERE.
- Stay locked in with live digital updates by downloading the Cal Poly Athletics app HERE or follow Mustang Football on Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok.
- Still need tickets? Snag yours HERE before they are gone!
- Help the Mustangs celebrate Homecoming and Hall of Fame Night, presented by NorCal Honda!
- The athletics department will recognize this year’s Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame inductees at halftime. View the full class being honored and web release HERE.
- Enjoy a Jersey Koozie giveaway courtesy of FlexTG - be one of the first to grab yours!
- Tailgating starts at 1:00 p.m., four hours before kickoff.
- Grab your permitHERE and check all rulesHERE.
- At 2:20 p.m., join the Stampede March from the University Union to the Richard O'Neill Green and get ready for the Corral BBQ (ticket add-on required).
- Download your mobile ticket to your wallet before you arrive.
- Tickets were emailed at purchase; check your inbox.
- Students get in free with their Cal Poly ID.
- Need help? ClickHERE for step-by-step instructions!
- General game day parking is free with your ticket for the 2026 season, but a few lots are reserved for priority parking.
- Primary parking: Grand Ave. Parking Structure and Lot H14.
- Preferred parking at Lot H12 is available for purchase.
- Lot C7 (next to O'Neill Green) is now ADA-only parking.
- Student and staff permits are valid during campus athletic events.
- Questions? Email parking@calpoly.edu or visitHERE for more info.
- This is the first week of school, and with a Friday game, campus will be buzzing; parking will be impacted, so arrive early, carpool, or plan for extra time.
- Review the Fan Code of ConductHERE and Clear Bag PolicyHERE before arriving.
