Ivory and the Mustangs count on big plays

Kristaan Ivory will be the featured running back in Cal Poly’s 2013 triple option offense. By Owen Main

Last season, Deonte Williams was the star ball-carrier for Cal Poly football. His bruising running style was a perfect contrast to the guy who was all smiles after every Mustang win.

Kristaan Ivory, a junior this season, has stepped into Williams’ slot back role as the main option for Cal Poly head coach Tim Walsh. Any questions about his ability were answered on the first play from scrimmage in the first game of the season on Saturday afternoon. Ivory took the handoff, turned the left corner, and dashed down the sideline for an 81-yard touchdown.

Like Williams, Ivory was all-smiles after the Mustangs’ victory in the opener.

“I was excited,” said Ivory. “They told me I was going to be the first play Monday. So I had known all week and I had dreamed of it happening in all different ways, so when it happened I was really excited. Our slots, they made really good blocks for me on the edge and made it easy for me to just run fast.”

Ivory scored three times and netted 185 total rushing yards in the Mustangs’ 38-16 victory. In 2012, he was second on the team with 728 yards rushing. His longest run last season was 46 yards. On Saturday, he racked up runs of 81 and 61 yards.

According to the Los Angeles-Cathedral High graduate, big plays are part of the plan this season.

“We had a lot of explosive plays,” said Ivory. “We got a big catch from Willie Tucker, a big run from Gabe Umoh, and that’s what we want to be. People think the triple option is just a three, four yards and move it down [the field], but we’re trying to be an explosive offense this year.”

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