STAFF
It took 21 days for San Jose State to return to the gridiron. In the first 12 minutes of action, the Spartans tallied 21 points and toyed with Hawaii’s football program.
Hawai’i did score 10 unanswered in the second quarter however, as the two teams went into the locker rooms at 21-10.
It was the most points in a quarter for the Spartans since their 22-point 3rd quarter at UNLV last season.
The Spartans have already rushed for 212 yards, the most this season topping the 176 put up versus UNLV.
The first three possessions were polar opposites for both squads. SJSU scored three touchdowns on 17 plays for 203 yards while the Rainbow Warriors ran into a trio of three-and-outs on nine plays for 14 yards.
A pair of Spartan mistakes in the second quarter sure will be brought up at recess by head coach Brent Brennan, as they both resulted in a Chevon Cordeiro to Dae Dae Hunter 10-yard passing score.
Sam Olson bobbled the football attempting to make a catch and the ball landed in the hands of a Hawai’i defender.
And on Hawaii’s next possession, Spartan defensive end Viliami Fehoko was flagged on a facemask that granted Corderio’s offense an extra 15 yards.
Tyler Nevens found the end zone twice in less than three minutes but not before a catalyzing 9-play 75-yard opening drive which ended in a Nick Starkel to Isaiah Hamilton touchdown after a slippery Kairee Robinson established the Spartan running attack.
Nevens scored on a 72-yard rush, the longest of his career, and a 10-yard score, respectively. On both rushes, the offensive line and the tight end core cleared massive gaps.
Freshman transfer Kenyon Reed made his first career start at cornerback for SJSU and looks impressive so far.
He broke up a pass near the sideline early in the first quarter and has shined on two punt-returns as he fills in for Bailey Gaither on special teams.
Oddly enough, SJSU’s Tre Walker, who sits fourth on the program’s all-time receptions list, has been absent with zero catches. He’s four snags away from Tyler Winston’s 171.
If the Spartans hang on in the second half, they will improve to 5-0 for the first time in 81 years. Chances are it will be a happy flight home.