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.
@Jack_t_bowers: What is your observation of the difference in how SJSU’s offense performed vs USC and vs OSU (beyond just OSU’s defense is better).
It starts in the red zone.
Last week, I kvelled over an 11-yard rush from SJSU running back Quali Conley in the first quarter while SJSU was down 7-0 to No. 6 USC. It put SJSU an arms length from the goal line. A few plays later, running back Kairee Robinson punched it in. Yes, it was in the first quarter. And yes, SJSU lost 56-28. Still, it was a boost of confidence that carried over into the next three quarters.
Fast forward to last Sunday against No. 18 Oregon State. It was third-and-eight. SJSU had the ball, down 7-0 on OSU’s 18-yard line at the 9:53 mark in the second quarter. And then came a false start from Fernando Carmona Jr.
SJSU left with a field goal. And in the blink of an eye 7-3 turned into 28-3 which eventually morphed into a 56-28 loss. Carmona Jr. isn’t entirely responsible for the drubbing. But his false start was a shift.
Moreno @morenolopez11: After two games we can see the impact of Cooks being in the league; Besides Nash what other receiver can we see step up along side?
About a year ago, I interviewed SJSU wide receiver Charles Ross. He just nabbed five catches for 89 yards in the Spartans near upset over Auburn. I remember he mentioned how it’s now about elevating.
His ascent didn’t happen in 2022. Injuries clipped his wings. Then came 2023. He was serviceable against USC, five catches for 62 yards. Against OSU, he caught two passes for eight yards on five targets.
The talent is there. It’s still the same Ross who burned an SEC-caliber corner for a 40-yard reception. But the production must improve.
@jack_t_bowers: Also why were we kicking touchbacks vs USC in kickoffs and then vs OSU we went back to the weak squib kicks that we did so much last year, which inevitably leads to opponents having good field position on nearly every possession?
Antonio Morales of The Athletic was in SJSU’s special team room leading up to USC. He wrote about how special teams coordinator Scott White emphasized ball placement:
“Don’t give an opportunity to [Zachariah] Branch, Raleek Brown or any of USC’s other dynamic playmakers to completely wreck the game.”
That worked for the first three kicks. Then came the fourth. It was placed in the middle of the field. It hung and hung and hung for the wicked-fast Branch. A few missed tackles and seconds later it was a house call. It put SJSU’s hopes of an upset or down-to-the-wire finish out like a lit cigarette.
I assume the coaching staff opted to squib to avoid an encore. OSU boasts 2023 Preseason All-Pac-12 First-Team return specialist Anthony Gould and Silas Bolden, a 2023 Preseason All-Pac-12 Second-Team specialist.
Here’s how it shook out.
Kick No. 1: OSU 27
Kick No. 2: OSU 30
Kick No. 3: OSU 35
I think it worked. Maybe it seemed worse because squibbing’s not as cool as a big kick. There’s a subtle adrenaline rush when the ball floats through mid-air. Squibs don’t elicit that reaction. I get more of a rush from waiting for the cubed DVD Logo to hit the corner of my TV (ignore how outdated this reference is).
Charles Myer: @CharlesMyer_UT: We were thoroughly dominated on both lines of scrimmage. Do you think this will be an issue throughout the season? Or was OSU that good?
This play was concerning.
I can see why following the game DJ Uiagalelei said, “I could have made a sandwich back there.” He was sacked and hurried just once. OSU running back Damien Martinez went for 145 rushing yards as OSU amassed 197 total. The majority of the runs were in the trenches.
SJSU’s relatively young and inexperienced defensive front is still finding its footing. I expected there to be lumps. That’s what happens you lose two bookends in Cade Hall and Junior Fehoko. Both have a Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.
Then again, SJSU’s defensive line faced a wildly talented OSU offensive line. Joshua Gray and Taliese Fuaga made the 2023 Preseason All-Pac-12 First Team and Jake Levengood made the second team.
I don’t expect future opposing quarterbacks to have ‘chef up a meal’ time in the pocket. But an improvement must be made. I’m putting more stock into how SJSU plays against Cal Poly and Toledo.
Fake Matt Mumme: @FakeCoachMumme: Best place in San Jose for BBQ?
Hand up, haven’t gone out for BBQ in San Jose. If my memory serves me correctly I’m pretty sure SJSU tight end Dominick Mazotti likes Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. This inspired me to leaf through their menu. I expected ribs. Why am I staring at a Mac and Cheese Sausage, Loaded Nacho Sausage and a Jalapeño Cheddar sausage.
One sausage with cheese option is plenty. Do we really need three iterations of the same thing? The same can be said for The Hangover Trilogy.
OK now back to football.
Jason @VANDT33: What is going to be done to address the scheme and missed assignments in the secondary? 2nd straight week of blown coverages leading to easy TD’s.
I’ll counter with, ‘Who were those blown coverages against?’
Week one was the No. 6 team in the country, USC. Led by reigning Heisman Award winner Caleb Williams. SJSU won’t face another quarterback capable of doing this:
Uiagalelei’s 80% completion rate and three touchdown strikes were a testament to his offensive line. Plus, a very talented wide receiver core. Uiagalelei’s still the guy pegged by scouts to be the next Cam Newton. Perhaps Corvallis, Ore. becomes everything that Clemson, S.C. wasn’t for him.
Similar to other units, I’m going to take it easy on the secondary – for now. Allowing seven passing touchdowns with zero interceptions in the first two games is typically unacceptable. A caveat can be made when it’s against two teams who could clash in the PAC-12 Championship. And two quarterbacks whose names can be belted out by Scott Hanson on “NFL RedZone” after a spellbinding highlight.
@MattHamilton19: Why can’t our wide receivers get open?
I have a feeling this is more about the Oregon State game. It boils down to predictability and talent.
The Beavers knew SJSU needed to air it out to keep pace. When you add the absence of Justin Lockhart, it turns into ‘just stop the guy who just scored three touchdowns’ aka Nick Nash.
Then again, I think it was a case of being outmatched. OSU’s resurgence was built on the shoulders of a stellar defense. Last year, OSU allowed the least points (20) and yards (332.8) in the PAC-12. Defensive back Kitan Oladapo was a 2022 PFF All-Pac-12 First Team. This year, he was named a 2023 Preseason All-Pac-12 First-Team.
Quinn Lightfoo @Q_Foot_: San Jose St has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the MW. They might be 1-3 by the end of it. Is that tough of a non-conference good for their chances in the MW?
Great question. Last year, SJSU gained lots of momentum in its near-win at Auburn and demolishing of Western Michigan. It set the tone that 2022 wouldn’t fall short like 2021.
But SJSU’s strength of schedule skyrocketed in 2023. These next two games against Cal Poly and Toledo are paramount. The Spartans play five of the highest ranked teams in the Mountain West’s 2023 Preseason Coaches Poll. SJSU can’t enter that brutal slate reeling from losses.