By Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Spear Reporter // Photo via Aikman Fang
Hello and welcome to Matt’s Monday Mailbag™ your go-to destination for all pressing San Jose State football matters.
Enough chit-chatting. Let’s get into it.
@Morenolopez1: “There was several transfers who had some big plays in yesterday’s game; moving forward who are some of the players who we should expect to continue performing?”
@AdrianA74007760: “New starter at RB?”
Going to combine these because I leave Saturday feeling very confident about Utah Tech transfer running back Quali Conley. On six attempts, Conley rushed for 108 yards, with 57 of them coming on a big play up the middle in the fourth quarter – but – I don’t consider that his most valuable play of the day. The game was far out-of-reach by that point.
We’ll have to rewind to the first quarter when SJSU was down 7-0. On 1st & 10 from USC’s 11-yard-line, Conley bulldozed through for a 10-yard gain. A few plays later, running back Kairee Robinson swooped in for a one-yard touchdown.
It showed SJSU could handle No. 6 USC in the trenches. Last year, when facing Auburn’s large, physical SJSU combined for a meager 54 rushing yards. And the run game remained a weak point by season’s end. The Spartans ended 2022 with the least productive run game in the conference.
Moving forward, I’m curious to see how SJSU offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven splits up carries between Robinson and Conley. The best indicator will come when SJSU is either leading, tied or within one possession.
Perhaps that’s this Sunday against No. 18 Oregon State, but most likely when SJSU faces Cal Poly of the FCS in week 3.
Either way, future running back usage is difficult to predict following a game where SJSU’s offense was playing ‘catch up.’ Fans can thank playing against USC quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy award winner Caleb Williams for that.
@CharlesMyer_UT: “Our offense looks good and very balanced. What do you think the outlook is for our defense this season? They got pressure on Williams and made some plays, but obviously a very tough opponent.”
It’s a difficult question to answer because SJSU won’t face a talent-strapped force like No. 6 USC again this season. Saturday’s 56-28 loss featured some big gains and poor play in the red zone.
The Spartans’ defense allowed 49 points (not counting kickoff return touchdown) and USC went 5-for-5 in the red zone with five touchdowns.
But I’m not incredibly worried because of the effort.
Let’s take it to the 1:35 mark of the first half. USC was up 21-7 with the ball on it’s own 20-yard-line. This could’ve been a situation where SJSU’s defense lays down and Williams leads a touchdown drive and puts the Trojans up by three possessions heading into the half. However, SJSU’s defense got a three-and-out and the drive only lasted 1:08.
A short time later, this happened:
From my perspective, big plays happened because of the sheer talent disparity. Not because of effort.
Moving forward, I see SJSU’s defense finishing somewhere between the fourth or sixth best in the conference. It’s what happens when a defensive unit loses a slew of its best players.
@Jackson09960335: “Can Chevan Cordeiro become a mid round draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?”
I don’t see it happening because it’s extremely difficult for Group of Five quarterbacks to become a mid-round draft pick. Since 2019, only seven have. Those seven boast mind boggling stats, conference championships and big-time bowl wins.
For example, Fresno State’s Jake Haener was drafted in the fourth round last year. In 29 games as a starter, he threw for 9,013 yards, 67 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He boasts two bowl wins and a Mountain West Championship. Western Kentucky’s Bailey Zappe was drafted in the fourth round in 2021. In just one year as a starter, he threw for 5,967 yards, 62 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Has Cordeiro had a solid college career? Absolutely. On Saturday, after throwing for three touchdowns, he moved into the eighth all-time in total touchdowns (71) in the Mountain West.
It’s no knock on Cordeiro, but he’s just not in that upper echelon. I project him as an unsigned free agent.