Interception returns by Ortega and Ballentine highlight San Diego's 27-21 victory over Cal Poly
SAN DIEGO -- — Trey Ortega and Matt Ballentine returned interceptions for touchdowns and San Diego's opportunistic defense led the Toreros to a 27-21 season-opening victory over Cal Poly on Saturday night.
Ortega's 38-yard return of a Bo Kelly pass gave San Diego a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Ballentine's 40-yard return of another Kelly pass put the Toreros up 24-14 early in the fourth.
A short TD pass by Jackson Akins drew the Mustangs within 27-21 with about a minute to go, but the Toreros recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
The Toreros had 337 yards of total offense but scored only one touchdown on offense, a 1-yard run by Logan Gingg that gave them a 17-14 lead midway through the third quarter.
Cal Poly had taken a 14-10 lead early in the third on a 31-yard fumble return by Budha Boyd Jr.
Grant Sergent was 15-of-24 passing for 153 yards for San Diego. Matt Colombo led the Toreros with 88 yards rushing.
Kelly completed 21 of 35 passes for 226 yards with a touchdown. He was intercepted three times.
The Mustangs were held to eight yards rushing.
The game was a rematch of a first-round FCS playoff game last season in which San Diego defeated Cal Poly 35-21.
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Game Information
2024 Big Sky Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Montana State | 5-0 | 9-0 |
UC Davis | 5-0 | 8-1 |
Montana | 4-1 | 7-2 |
Idaho | 3-2 | 6-3 |
Northern Arizona | 3-2 | 5-4 |
Weber State | 2-3 | 3-6 |
Portland State | 2-3 | 2-6 |
Idaho State | 2-3 | 4-5 |
Cal Poly | 1-4 | 2-6 |
Eastern Washington | 1-4 | 2-7 |
Sacramento State | 1-4 | 3-6 |
Northern Colorado | 1-4 | 1-8 |
2024 Pioneer Football League Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Drake | 5-0 | 6-1 |
Morehead State | 4-1 | 6-3 |
St. Thomas-Minnesota | 4-1 | 5-4 |
Dayton | 3-2 | 5-3 |
Butler | 3-2 | 7-2 |
San Diego | 3-2 | 5-3 |
Davidson | 3-3 | 5-4 |
Presbyterian | 2-4 | 4-6 |
Valparaiso | 1-3 | 3-5 |
Stetson | 0-4 | 2-6 |
Marist | 0-6 | 0-9 |