It was never supposed to be close. Honestly, when a top-tier Big 12 program like Utah schedules an FCS school from the Big Sky, everyone knows the script. But the September 6, 2025, matchup between Cal Poly Mustangs football vs Utah Utes football wasn't just another blowout. It was a bizarre blend of historic streaks, special teams chaos, and a weird family homecoming that most casual fans completely missed.
You’ve probably seen the final score: Utah 63, Cal Poly 9. It looks like a typical "body bag game" where a smaller school takes a paycheck to get beaten up. Yet, if you dig into the play-by-play, there are some layers here that make it more than just a lopsided box score.
That Unreal 22-Year Streak
The coolest thing that happened in this game had nothing to do with the Mustangs' offense. Early in the first quarter, Utah’s Jackson Bennee stepped in front of a Ty Dieffenbach pass. He didn't just catch it; he housed it. That 46-yard pick-six extended Utah’s unbelievable streak of 22 consecutive seasons with an interception returned for a touchdown.
Think about that.
Since 2004, the Utes have found the end zone on defense every single year. It’s the longest active streak in the FBS. It’s basically a law of physics at this point—if you play Utah, someone is going to run a mistake back for six. Poor Dieffenbach was just the latest victim of a tradition that started when most of the current roster was still in diapers.
Cal Poly Mustangs Football vs Utah Utes Football: The Ground Game Gap
Total yardage tells a brutal story. Utah put up 518 yards. Cal Poly? Only 223. But the real "oof" moment was the rushing totals. The Utes galloped for 273 yards on the ground, averaging almost six yards every time they touched the ball.
Cal Poly actually tried to keep things interesting. They used three different quarterbacks—Ty Dieffenbach, Anthony Grigsby Jr., and even some late-game reps for others—to find a rhythm. It didn't work. The Mustangs managed only 65 rushing yards all day. When you can't run the ball against a defensive front like Utah’s, you’re basically asking for a long afternoon.
The Quarterback Situation
Devon Dampier was the story for the Utes. He’s a New Mexico transfer, and this was his first game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. He looked comfortable. Very comfortable. He went 17-of-23 for 192 yards and three touchdowns before the coaches pulled him to let the backups get some work.
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One of those backups, Byrd Ficklin, decided he wanted his own highlight reel. He rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 38-yard burst that made the Cal Poly defenders look like they were running through sand.
Small Victories for the Mustangs
I have to give some credit to the Mustangs' kickers. Noah Serna and Gianluca Dimauro were basically the only reason the scoreboard moved for Cal Poly. Serna nailed a 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. That’s tied for the fourth-longest in Cal Poly history.
It’s kind of funny, in a "football is weird" sort of way. You lose by 54 points, but your kicker has a career day and etches his name into the school record books.
A Personal Connection You Might Not Know
There was a heavy dose of nostalgia under the surface of this game. Utah’s head coach, Kyle Whittingham, isn't just a legend in Salt Lake City; he has Mustang blood. His father, Fred Whittingham, played for Cal Poly back in the early 1960s.
During the game, the Utes also honored former coach Ron McBride by putting him in the Ring of Honor. McBride is the guy who basically saved Utah football in the 90s. Seeing the program celebrate its past while playing a school that helped shape its current coach’s family history made the atmosphere feel a bit more significant than your average Week 2 mismatch.
What Most People Got Wrong
A lot of people looked at Cal Poly’s 1-0 start (they beat San Diego 41-17 the week before) and thought they might put up a fight. They didn't. The jump from playing a non-scholarship Pioneer League team like San Diego to a ranked Big 12 powerhouse is like jumping from a local go-kart track to Formula 1.
Cal Poly’s defense, led by Kenny Olson and his 11 tackles, played hard. But they were on the field for over 31 minutes. By the time the third quarter rolled around, you could see the fatigue. Utah just has too much depth. They had nine different players record a carry. You can't prepare for that kind of fresh-legs rotation.
By the Numbers: The Reality Check
If you’re a bettor or a stats junkie, these figures are pretty telling for future matchups between these tiers:
- Third Down Conversions: Cal Poly went 3-of-13. You can't win if you can't stay on the field.
- Turnovers: Two interceptions for Utah, zero for Cal Poly.
- Explosive Plays: Wayshawn Parker’s 52-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive set the tone in under two minutes.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following these teams for the rest of the season, there are a few things to keep an eye on based on this specific matchup.
For Utah fans, watch Jackson Bennee. He’s not just a "lucky" interception guy; Whittingham called him the biggest surprise of the season for a reason. His ball skills are legit. Also, keep an eye on the "Go-Go" offense. The Utes are playing faster and more aggressively than they have in years past, moving away from the "ground and pound" reputation they’ve had for decades.
For Cal Poly supporters, don't let this score ruin your season. The Mustangs aren't going to see another defense like Utah's in the Big Sky. If Dieffenbach can cut down on the forced throws into tight windows—like the one Bennee picked—the offense has enough talent to be competitive in conference play. The fact that they can hit 50-plus yard field goals means they can score from anywhere once they cross the 35-yard line.
Next Steps for Followers:
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- Check the Big Sky standings to see how Cal Poly bounces back against conference opponents where the talent gap is smaller.
- Track the Utah "Pick-Six" streak in every game; it’s officially the most interesting sub-plot in college football defense right now.
- Watch for Devon Dampier’s Heisman dark horse buzz if he keeps completing over 70% of his passes.
This game won't go down as a classic, but it served its purpose. Utah proved they are a playoff contender with terrifying defensive consistency, and Cal Poly got a massive paycheck and a reality check that will probably help them sharpen up for the Big Sky grind.