Two CLA Athletes Named to All-BigSky Conference First Team
Two CLA athletes were named to the All-BigSky Conference First Team in the fall.
Chris Santini (Communication Studies)
Cal Poly linebacker Chris Santini was named to the All-BigSky Conference first team last fall.
Santini, who notched a team-leading 106 tackles, 12.5 for lost yardage, also earned the team’s most valuable defensive player award.
Santini, a graduate of Leland High School in San Jose who transferred to Cal Poly from Boise State prior to the 2015 season, made 68 solo tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and also was the team leader with his five quarterback hurries.
Santini also earned the team’s Mel Kaufman Award, given annually to the Cal Poly player who most exemplifies the virtues Kaufman became known for on and off the field.
Joe Protheroe (Sociology)
Cal Poly junior fullback Joe Protheroe has been named to the All-Big Sky Conference first team for the second year in a row.
Other postseason honors for the 20th Mustang to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in a single season include first-team All-America honors from STATS FCS and his team’s most valuable offensive back.
Protheroe
finished first in the Big Sky in rushing with 1,334 yards and 13 touchdowns in 11 games. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry and121.3 yards a contest.
A graduate of Clayton Valley Charter High School in Concord,Calif., Protheroe has surpassed the 100-yard mark in a game 13 times in his Mustang career. He also has nine career receptions.
Protheroe's career high for a single game is 217 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns in Cal Poly's 38-31 win at South Dakota State in September. He also rushed for 168 yards at Sacramento State in late October.
Protheroe is No. 8 in career rushing yards at Cal Poly with 2,297 yards while his 1,334 yards this season is No. 5 all-time. His longest run is 76 yards for a touchdown at South Dakota State and Protheroe's longest reception is 55 yards, also for a touchdown, against Montana in September.