What Is 2009 Cal Poly Mustangs football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State University in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 7–4 overall record under head coach Rich Ellerson. They competed in the Great West Conference, where they went 5–2 and placed second.

Key Facts

The 2009 Cal Poly Mustangs finished the season with a 7–4 overall record
Head coach Rich Ellerson led the team during his sixth season at Cal Poly
The Mustangs played home games at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly competed in the Great West Conference, finishing 5–2 in conference play
The team's final game of the season was a loss to UC Davis on November 21, 2009

Overview

The 2009 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Football Championship Subdivision, the team was led by head coach Rich Ellerson, who was in his sixth year at the helm.

Playing their home games at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo, California, the Mustangs were members of the Great West Conference. They finished the season with a 7–4 overall record and a 5–2 mark in conference play, placing second in the league standings.

Overall record: The team ended the season with a 7–4 win-loss tally, showing consistent performance throughout the year.
Conference standing: Cal Poly placed second in the Great West Conference with a 5–2 conference record, trailing only North Dakota.
Head coach: Rich Ellerson, in his sixth season, continued to build a competitive program emphasizing the team’s signature triple-option offense.
Home stadium: The Mustangs played at Alex G. Spanos Stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 11,000 and is located on campus.
Final game: Their season concluded with a 35–21 loss to UC Davis on November 21, 2009, in the annual Battle for the Golden Horseshoe.

Season Performance

The 2009 campaign featured a mix of strong offensive showings and defensive challenges, with Cal Poly averaging over 30 points per game in several matchups. The team’s triple-option attack remained a hallmark of their offensive strategy under Ellerson.

Offensive scheme: The Mustangs utilized a triple-option offense, which emphasized ball control and rushing dominance, led by quarterback Chris Brown.
Rushing yards: Cal Poly averaged 306.7 rushing yards per game, ranking among the top teams nationally in ground attack.
Passing stats: The team passed for only 98.4 yards per game, reflecting their run-heavy philosophy and reliance on misdirection.
Defensive performance: The defense allowed 23.6 points per game, struggling at times against spread-offense opponents.
Key player: Running back Jordan Mills rushed for 876 yards and 9 touchdowns on the season, leading the team in scoring.
Notable win: A 34–27 victory over Southern Utah on October 17 highlighted mid-season momentum and showcased balanced offensive execution.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2009 Cal Poly Mustangs compared to other Great West Conference teams:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points For	Points Against
North Dakota	6–5	6–1	321	254
Cal Poly	7–4	5–2	278	259
South Dakota	3–8	2–5	208	291
South Dakota State	5–6	3–4	251	265
UC Davis	5–6	3–4	246	278

Despite having the best overall record in the conference, Cal Poly finished second due to North Dakota’s superior conference record. The Great West did not have an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, so no team from the league advanced to postseason play. This limited national recognition for Cal Poly’s strong season, though they remained competitive in all but one non-conference game.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season was significant for Cal Poly as it demonstrated the sustainability of their offensive identity and program development under long-term coaching leadership. It also highlighted the challenges of competing in a non-automatic qualifying conference.

Program identity: The consistent use of the triple-option offense reinforced Cal Poly’s unique football philosophy and recruiting focus.
Player development: The season helped launch several players into professional opportunities, including Chris Brown’s later CFL stint.
Recruiting impact: Success on the field boosted visibility, aiding future recruiting classes in Northern and Central California.
Conference dynamics: The Great West Conference dissolved after 2012, making this era a transitional phase in FCS realignment.
Fan engagement: A winning season increased attendance and student involvement, strengthening campus spirit.
Historical context: The 2009 team was part of a broader era of competitiveness, with Cal Poly making FCS playoff appearances in 2004, 2005, and 2008.

Though the 2009 Cal Poly Mustangs fell short of postseason play, their performance underscored the program’s resilience and commitment to a distinctive brand of football that continues to influence the team’s culture today.