By Jarra Gojolo — Senior Content Editor
Historic? Yes.
Perfect? No.
The Spartans (7-1, 7-0 MW) lost to Ball State (7-1, 6-0 MAC) 34-13 in the Arizona Bowl on Thursday.
Nick Starkel threw for 268 yards, but only threw one touchdown against three interceptions on the day. Charlie Bostic III returned a third-quarter kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to open scoring for SJSU, but wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.
Coming Out (Less Than) Strong
The Spartans struggled from the beginning. What looked like a miscommunication between Starkel and receiver Andre Crump resulted in the former throwing a pick-6 to Antonio Phillips on SJSU’s first drive.
They would follow that drive up with three consecutive three-and-outs that the Cardinals turned all into touchdowns.
The 27-0 first quarter score is the largest the Spartans have trailed this season. It’s the most points they’ve allowed in a single quarter — and a single game — this season.
Ball State’s only points after the quarter came from a third quarter Yo’Heinz Tyler touchdown reception but the damage was too much for SJSU to recover from.
“Make no mistake, we felt like we were ready for this game,” Starkel said after the game. “Ball State just came out there and gave it to us.”
The Best Ability is Availability
Ball State scored 27 points in the opening quarter, but the Spartans were already in a deficit before the kickoff.
Offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven, defensive coordinator Derrick Odum, first team all-Mountain West wide receiver Bailey Gaither, center Kyle Hoppe, guard Tyler Stevens, defensive lineman Cade Hall, second team all-Mountain West safety Tre Jenkins and returner Shamar Garrett were all announced as inactive before the game.
According to SJSU not all of the absences are COVID-19 related.
Head coach Brent Brennan says he learned just before kickoff that eight members of the team would be unavailable for the game.
“For those guys not to be a part of it is devastating for them,” Brennan said. “Everybody feels that. I don’t know the amount of days this group was together, but it was significant. Any time any of those pieces aren’t there that definitely has a big impact.”
The road got tougher for the Spartans on their very first play, as tight end Derrick Deese was flipped over after catching a short pass from Starkel. The senior landed awkwardly and left the game with what looked to be a neck injury.
Injuries to Starkel and backup tight end Dominick Mazzotti (both would return) made things even harder for SJSU at points in the first half.
The Spartans Will Run It Back
The Mountain West champions will head into next season with much of the team returning in 2021. Starkel — and possibly other seniors like Gaither, Tre Walker and Derrick Deese Jr. — will return thanks to NCAA’s rule giving Division I football players another season of eligibility due to COVID-19.
Brennan agreed to a second extension last week to make sure the fourth-year head coach would stay in San Jose for the foreseeable future, and will look to defend his Mountain West title next season.
“I guarantee you, we will be a force to reckon with next year,” linebacker Kyle Harmon said. “I can’t wait to get back and work with these guys.”
Follow Jarra on Twitter @JarraGojolo