Nick Larson

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Classes don’t begin for a few weeks, but Cal Poly fall sports are in full swing. Keeping track of multiple schedules can be tough, so each week, we’ll preview the must-see sporting events so you don’t miss any of the action.

Football

This past thursday, the Cal Poly football team lost a tough opening game against FBS opponent New Mexico State, 28-10.

This saturday at 4 p.m. PST, the Mustangs take on No. 11 South Dakota State on the road. They will look to rebound from a game that saw multiple turnovers by the offense, which led to touchdowns for the opposition.

Keep an eye out for the quarterback battle between juniors Chris Brown and Dano Graves. Brown started the last game, but was pulled halfway through the fourth quarter because of an interception and a fumble. Brown remains the starter for the upcoming game against the Jackrabbits, but could be on a short leash.

Women’s soccer

After a 1-2 start to the season, the Cal Poly women’s soccer team will look to get back to form this Friday at San Jose State at 2 p.m.

The Big West Conference preseason favorites have kept every game close, but have only come out on top once. The young squad boasts only five returning starters and are slowly assimilating new starters into the squad.

The Mustangs round out the weekend on sunday, heading to Berkeley to take on California at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.

Freshman midfielder Katarina Drake, a young talent from San Luis Obispo, will play a key part in getting junior forward Elise Krieghoff back into the goal-scoring form she achieved in her sophomore campaign.

Men’s soccer

Last week, the men’s soccer team took the field twice, opening the season with a 4-3 loss at Davidson, but bouncing back strong with a 3-1 victory over North Carolina State.

For those who dislike soccer because of the lack of goals, the Mustangs may change your mind. The seventh-highest scoring team in Division I a year ago is already off to a fast start, with three goals in each of the first two games.

They return home to Alex G. Spanos Stadium this weekend, taking on Northern Illinois this Friday at 7 p.m. and Massachusetts Sunday at noon.

Junior midfielder Chase Minter leads the team with three goals and an assist in the first two games.

Women’s volleyball

The Cal Poly women’s volleyball team headed north to the Treasure State last weekend, opening their season by competing in the Montana Invitational.

They defeated the host team, Montana, in a four-set first-round match. The next day, the Mustangs dropped both matches, losing in four sets to Wyoming and dropping a close five-set match to Washington State.

The Mustangs return to California this Saturday, taking on Utah at a neutral venue in Moraga at 11 a.m. They follow that up with a match at Saint Mary’s on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Cal Poly has a deadly duo of freshmen with setter Taylor Nelson — who tallied 127 assists in her first three matches — and outside hitter Raeann Greisen, who led the Mustangs with 49 kills in the same three-game span.