What Is 2018 Cal Poly Mustangs football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record under head coach Justin Holmes. They competed in the Big Sky Conference, where they went 3–5, and played their home games at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo.

Key Facts

The 2018 Cal Poly Mustangs finished the season with a 5–6 overall record
They played in the Big Sky Conference, posting a 3–5 conference record
Head coach Justin Holmes was in his first season leading the program
The team played home games at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo, CA
Cal Poly's 2018 season included notable wins over San Diego and Southern Utah

Overview

The 2018 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2018 season. Competing as a member of the Big Sky Conference, the Mustangs were led by first-year head coach Justin Holmes, who took over after the departure of Tim Walsh.

The team played its home games at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo, California, continuing its tradition of a run-heavy offensive scheme known as the 'double wing.' Despite a losing overall record, the season provided development opportunities for younger players and laid groundwork for future program growth.

Record: The Mustangs finished the 2018 season with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–5 mark in Big Sky Conference play, failing to qualify for the FCS playoffs.
Head Coach: Justin Holmes was named head coach in December 2017 and led the team in his inaugural season, bringing experience from previous roles at Eastern Michigan and UTEP.
Stadium: All home games were played at Alex G. Spanos Stadium, a 11,075-seat venue on the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo.
Offensive Identity: The team continued to utilize the double wing formation, a hallmark of Cal Poly’s offense emphasizing physicality and misdirection.
Key Win: A 35–28 victory over Southern Utah on October 27, 2018, stood out as one of the team’s most significant conference wins of the season.

How It Works

The 2018 Cal Poly Mustangs operated within the structure of NCAA Division I FCS football, following conference scheduling, player eligibility rules, and game-day operations typical of collegiate programs. The season consisted of 11 games, blending non-conference matchups with Big Sky Conference competition.

Season Duration: The 2018 campaign ran from August 30 to November 17, with games played primarily on Saturdays and broadcast through ESPN+ or local radio.
Non-Conference Play: Cal Poly opened the season with four non-conference games, including a 24–21 win over San Diego on September 8.
Conference Schedule: The Mustangs played eight conference games, facing Big Sky opponents such as Eastern Washington, Montana, and Sacramento State.
Player Roster: The team fielded approximately 105 players, including 25 seniors and several key transfers adjusting to the double wing system.
Game Strategy: The offense averaged 32.1 rushing yards per game via the double wing, relying on fullbacks and wingbacks to execute power runs and counters.
Injury Impact: Quarterback depth was challenged mid-season due to injuries, forcing backups into action and disrupting offensive rhythm.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2018 Cal Poly Mustangs and selected Big Sky Conference teams based on season performance, offensive stats, and head coaching tenure.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Key Stat
Cal Poly	5–6	3–5	Justin Holmes (1st year)	1,876 rushing yards (2nd in Big Sky)
Eastern Washington	10–3	7–1	Aaron Best (2nd year)	42.3 PPG (1st in Big Sky)
Montana	8–4	6–2	Bobby Hauck (1st year)	38.1 PPG
Sacramento State	7–4	5–3	John Ford (1st year)	34.2 PPG
UC Davis	6–5	4–4	Dan Hawkins (1st year)	28.3 PPG

The table highlights Cal Poly’s mid-tier standing in the 2018 Big Sky season. While the Mustangs ranked highly in rushing yards, they lagged in scoring and overall wins compared to top teams like Eastern Washington. The influx of first-year head coaches across the conference underscored a transitional year for several programs, including Cal Poly.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was pivotal for Cal Poly football as it marked the beginning of a new coaching era and continued the program’s commitment to a unique offensive identity. Though not a playoff contender, the season helped evaluate talent and refine strategies for future competitiveness.

Program Transition: The shift to Justin Holmes’ leadership signaled a new direction, emphasizing modernized player development and recruiting.
Player Development: Young quarterbacks and linemen gained crucial experience, setting the stage for improved performance in subsequent seasons.
Conference Relevance: Remaining competitive in the Big Sky helps maintain scholarship funding and recruiting visibility.
Tradition Preservation: Continuing the double wing offense honors Cal Poly’s football heritage and differentiates it nationally.
Recruiting Impact: A stable coaching staff post-2018 helped boost recruiting efforts, particularly in Southern California.
Community Engagement: Home games at Spanos Stadium maintained strong student and alumni attendance, supporting local spirit.

The 2018 season, while modest in wins, contributed to long-term program stability and provided valuable on-field experience that shaped Cal Poly’s trajectory in FCS football.