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OGDEN — The triple-option offense may be one of the most mysterious wonders in college football.
How a player gets the ball, when he gets the ball and where he gets the ball all make a difference in how the play is defended, and Cal Poly coach Tim Walsh understands how far the triple-option can carry a team.
The Mustangs are leading the country in rushing, averaging 335.6 yards per game. Last week against Southern Utah, Cal Poly rushed for 452 yards as it beat the Thunderbirds, 42-39.
Walsh said he’s been impressed with the Mustangs’ offense to this point.
“Obviously, we’re kind of clicking on all cylinders on offense,” Walsh said during the weekly Big Sky coaches’ conference call with the media. “I think it starts with the offensive line, but I think our quarterback (Chris Brown) is playing well. His confidence level is so good right now it’s allowed us to become a little bit more (diverse).
#WSU
“We ran 97 offensive plays, and we ran it 80 times. But the 17 times we did throw it were efficient, and I think when you’re an option team, that’s something you strive to do.”
The Big Sky has long been a conference known for strong offense, and Walsh said offense is the top requirement to be successful in conference.
“The teams that are undefeated are scoring,” he said. “If we gave up 38 (points), we have to score 39 (points). The offenses are all pretty good.”
This week at Weber State, the Mustangs go for the Utah sweep as they travel to Ogden to face the Wildcats during Weber’s homecoming.
Walsh said his theory on outscoring opponents will have to prove true, as he complimented the Wildcats’ improvements.
“Looking at where they were a year ago, and looking at where they are now, they’re a much improved team,” he said. “I know they’re 0-5, but you look at the (games against FCS opponents), they’re all games they could have won. I think that’s a great credit to what Coach (Jay) Hill is doing there. I think they’re well on their way to becoming a good team.”
Weber State quarterback Billy Green is eighth in the country in passing yards, and the Wildcats have a stable of proficient receivers. Walsh credited much of Weber’s passing success to how Green, the receivers and the offensive line interact.
“The more the quarterback plays, the better they’re getting,” he said. “I think he is a really smart guy at the line of scrimmage, he’s got a really good pocket presence. I think (Weber’s) offensive line does a good job of giving (Green) some time. They’ve gotten some (receivers) wide open, which is a great credit to their coaching staff and their route runners. Their skill players are more than a handful, and I think that’s a good group.”
While Walsh consistently complimented the offense for its execution, he also said Weber should be credited for how well it has moved the ball against quality opponents.
“The amount of yards they’ve put up is attention-grabbing in itself,” he said. “(Against) North Dakota State, I know they only got seven points, but those guys are legit. I thought they did a pretty good job of handling their own against those guys.”
