By Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Spear Reporter // Photo via Christian Vieyra
What initially looked promising for SJSU football spiraled downward into a 45-20 loss to Air Force. From being shutout in the second half to allowing 400 total rushing yards, it’s the nadir of SJSU’s 2023 campaign.
Now sitting at 1-4, should SJSU lose to Boise State after its upcoming bye week, it’ll need to win five of its next six to remain bowl eligible.
“It’s heartbreaking for me and for us and for our team because we played so well in the first half and there was just a lot of excitement and a lot of energy,” SJSU head coach Brent Brennan said. “To not be able to capitalize on that momentum is devastating.”
Air Force was the latest member of SJSU’s early season gauntlet, joining the likes of No. 5 USC, No. 14 Oregon State and reigning MAC Champion Toledo.
Fortunately for the Spartans’ the Falcons might’ve been their most difficult remaining foe. For starters, SJSU faced Air Force’s complex, dominant triple option offense on short rest. The Spartans didn’t fly back into San Jose from Toledo until the wee hours of last Sunday morning. Air Force, meanwhile, played at home last Friday night. Adjusting to jet lag and lacking a day of preparation might explain why SJSU allowed 400 rushing yards.
Falcons running backs Emmanuel Michel and John Lee Eldridge III both amassed 100 rushing yards and multiple touchdowns. SJSU wasn’t done any favors when rotating defensive lineman Soane Toia left with an injury around the 10-minute mark in the second quarter. A brutal blow considering Air Force entered as the only team in the nation averaging 300 rushing yards per game.
“It’s hard man. It’s hard to lose good players, especially someone like Soane,” Brennan said.
SJSU’s offense started strong, packing on 20 points in the first half via three rushing touchdowns; two from running back Kairee Robinson and one from quarterback Chevan Cordeiro. SJSU finished the first half with 94 rushing yards — 50 more than what Air Force allowed on average in its first three games.
The rushing attack catalyzed a lively atmosphere inside CEFCU Stadium. Following Robinson’s first touchdown gallop, patrons got a taste of SJSU’s new light show. In the ensuing commercial break, fans started singing along with Whitney Houston’s “I Want to Dance with Somebody.” Was this the mid-season paradigm shift SJSU was seeking? Could SJSU really go from 1-3 to Mountain West Championship contenders?
Those wild thoughts quickly faded as Air Force took a 24-20 lead on its first possession of the second half and forced an SJSU three-and-out. As time wore on, the Spartans’ run game slowed down and Cordeiro couldn’t maintain the same early success he had with tight end Dominick Mazotti.
SJSU knew the difficult road that lay ahead when it lost Preseason All-Conference Selection wide receiver Justin Lockhart prior to the season. Time is ticking for a consistent big-play threat or game-changer at wide receiver to emerge. SJSU didn’t have a wide receiver amass at least three catches and 48 receiving yards.
SJSU might’ve overcome its offensive woes if Air Force didn’t take advantage of the NCAA’s new clock rule that permits the clock to run after first downs. In the second half alone, the Falcons possessed the ball for nearly 13 more minutes and gained a total of 12 first downs.
Although not identical, SJSU’s loss to Air Force shared similarities to last week’s defeat to Toledo. Going up early, grooving offensively, but deflating as time wore on.
“We just got to be able to just finish. We always start stalling and we always slow down in the second half,” said Cordeiro who went 24-for-35 with 239 yards, one interception and no passing touchdowns.
Up 31-20 with eight minutes left, the Falcons stared down a fourth and short on SJSU’s 34 yard line. With one stop SJSU could’ve left inspired. Instead, Eldridge bounced off hapless tacklers and miraculously made his way up the sideline and into the end zone.
Ball game.
Fan after fan after fan trudged up and out of CEFCU Stadium.
And for all those trudging fans, not all hope is lost. Following the bout with Boise State two weeks from now, SJSU has three winnable games in New Mexico, Utah State and Hawaii. The Spartans then host rival and early conference-favorite Fresno State and end the season with winnable games against San Diego State and UNLV.
Robinson agreed with the sentiment that the forthcoming game against Boise State could shift the momentum of the season, but “I feel like even tonight, it could have shifted the season a lot.”
Added Brennan: “The bye week comes at a good time for us.”