SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Darrell Jones returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown as Cal Poly defeated South Dakota State 14-7 in a Great West Football Conference game Saturday night before 8,417 in Mustang Stadium.

Jones was nearly tackled as he caught the ball at his own 11, but broke free and recorded his fifth career punt return for a touchdown, giving Cal Poly a 14-0 lead with 1:14 remaining in the second quarter.

Senior running back Geno Randle had given Cal Poly a 7-0 lead 82 seconds earlier on an eight-yard run. Randle finished with 92 yards on 15 carries.

With the win, the 13th-ranked Mustangs improved to 4-0 on the year, their first 4-0 start since 1997. South Dakota State fell to 3-2.

Cal Poly trailed in total offensive yards, 262 to 225, but collected twice as many first downs as the visiting Jackrabbits, 14-7. The Mustangs gained 157 yards on the ground against a South Dakota State defense that had given up an average of just 55 yards a game.

Defensively, Cal Poly gave up 90 rushing yards, more than the 66-yard average the Mustang defense had prior to the game.

Mustang quarterback John Mende completed eight of 12 passes for 60 yards. Jones caught five passes for 35 yards.

South Dakota State quarterback Brad Nelson connected on 16 of 38 passes for 172 yards. His favorite targets were Brian Janecek and Solomon Johnson, each with five receptions.

Anthony Watson gained 62 yards on 20 rushes for the Jackrabbits.

The lone South Dakota State score came on a five-yard run by Andy Kardoes with 8:01 to play, cutting Cal Poly's lead to 14-7.

The Jackrabbits had two more chances to score, but one drive ended with a punt and the other ended on an interception by Kenny Chicoine with four minutes to play.

Cal Poly plays another Great West Football Conference game Saturday at Southern Utah. South Dakota State hosts North Dakota State next Saturday.