Protheroe's late TD puts Cal Poly by South Dakota St 38-31
BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) - Joe Protheroe ran for 217 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winning 13-yard score with 2:28 to go, and Cal Poly beat South Dakota State 38-31 on Saturday night.
The game went back and forth all night; neither team gained a lead greater than seven points and the score was tied on four occasions. With the game tied at 24 early in the fourth, Protheroe broke a 76-yard scoring run to give the Mustangs (2-1) a 31-24 lead.
Taryn Christion marched the Jackrabbits down the field on the ensuing drive, tying the game with a 15-yard strike to Jake Wieneke with 9:14 left. Wieneke finished the night with three TD catches.
But Cal Poly responded with a 12 play, 84-yard drive sealed by Protheroe's game winner. South Dakota State had a final possession, but Christion was intercepted by Aaryn Bouzos.
Christion threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns.