What Is 2013 Cal Poly Mustangs football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7–4 record under head coach Tim Walsh. They competed in the Great West Conference, which disbanded after the 2012 season, and operated as an independent program in 2013.

Key Facts

The 2013 Cal Poly Mustangs finished the season with a 7–4 overall record
Head coach Tim Walsh led the team for the eighth consecutive season
Cal Poly played as an FCS independent after the Great West Conference dissolved
The Mustangs averaged 38.5 points per game, ranking among the FCS leaders
They ran the triple-option offense, a hallmark of Cal Poly's football identity

Overview

The 2013 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo during the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as an independent after the dissolution of the Great West Conference, the team was led by head coach Tim Walsh in his eighth year at the helm.

Known for their high-powered triple-option offense, the Mustangs posted one of the most prolific scoring averages in the FCS. Despite not qualifying for the postseason, the 2013 season was notable for Cal Poly’s offensive dominance and transition into conference realignment.

Record: The team finished with a 7–4 overall record, their best since 2005, marking a significant improvement from previous seasons.
Offensive output: Cal Poly averaged 38.5 points per game, ranking third nationally among FCS teams in scoring offense.
Head coach:Tim Walsh served as head coach, continuing his tenure that began in 2006, emphasizing a run-heavy, option-based offensive scheme.
Conference status: With the Great West Conference dissolving after 2012, Cal Poly competed as an FCS independent in 2013 before joining the Big Sky Conference in 2014.
Home stadium: The Mustangs played home games at Mustang Memorial Field, a 10,000-seat stadium on the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo.

How It Performed

The 2013 season showcased Cal Poly’s offensive strength and resilience, even without postseason eligibility. The team's triple-option attack overwhelmed multiple opponents, leading to high-scoring games and national recognition for their statistical rankings.

Quarterback play: Senior Chris Brown led the offense, throwing for 1,732 yards and 14 touchdowns while also rushing for 489 yards.
Running back dominance:Joe Protheroe rushed for 1,536 yards and 18 touchdowns, earning first-team All-American honors from The Sports Network.
Total offense: The Mustangs averaged 468.6 yards per game, ranking 10th in FCS, fueled by their triple-option rushing attack.
Defensive challenges: Cal Poly allowed 30.5 points per game, struggling against pass-heavy teams due to their run-focused defensive scheme.
Notable win: A 32–20 victory over Sacramento State in September highlighted their non-conference strength and offensive consistency.
Season finale: The team closed with a 35–28 loss to San Diego, ending their season on a narrow defeat after leading at halftime.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2013 Cal Poly Mustangs compared to other FCS teams in key statistical categories:

Statistic	Cal Poly (2013)	National FCS Average
Points Per Game	38.5	24.1
Yards Per Game	468.6	372.3
Rushing Yards Per Game	312.4	184.7
Passing Yards Per Game	156.2	215.6
Turnover Margin	-0.4	+0.2

The table illustrates Cal Poly’s unique offensive identity—while they trailed in passing output, their rushing dominance and scoring prowess placed them among the FCS elite. Their reliance on the ground game reflected their triple-option philosophy, which prioritized ball control and time of possession over aerial attacks.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a pivotal moment in Cal Poly football history, setting the stage for their transition into the Big Sky Conference. It demonstrated that a small FCS program could compete nationally with a distinct offensive identity and strong player development.

Program momentum: The 7–4 record built excitement ahead of Cal Poly’s 2014 Big Sky Conference debut, increasing fan engagement and recruiting appeal.
Offensive legacy: The triple-option system became synonymous with Cal Poly, influencing future coaching hires and player recruitment strategies.
Individual accolades: Joe Protheroe’s 18 rushing touchdowns earned him national recognition and boosted the program’s visibility.
Recruiting impact: Success in 2013 helped attract higher-caliber athletes, particularly dual-threat quarterbacks and power-running backs.
Statistical benchmark: The 38.5 points per game average remains one of the highest in school history, setting a performance standard.
Transition year: As an independent, 2013 allowed Cal Poly to schedule strategically, preparing for the tougher competition of FCS conference play.

The 2013 Cal Poly Mustangs may not have reached the playoffs, but their season laid the foundation for future success and cemented their reputation as an innovative, high-scoring FCS program.