By Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Spear Reporter | Photo via Titus Wilkinson of The Spear
Hello and welcome to Matt’s Monday Mailbag™, your go-to destination for all pressing SJSU football matters.
Enough chit-chatting. Let’s get into it.
Ricky Delgado: @RickyDe70535587
“Energy was really good in the building last night. The students and fans in the lower bowl seemed like they were bringing the juice. I do still envy Fresnos Home field advantage and hope we can get there one day. Seems like improvement though. How do you feel about that?”
Made4earth: @sportsnaps4u
“Place was rockin! Never heard it like that before. Glad I got to feel that energy!!!!”
Ricky felt it.
“Made4Earth” felt it.
From the press box I felt it.
And I’m sure Fresno State’s “Red Wave,” who expected to take over the stadium – only to be silenced by the third quarter on – felt it.
The “it” was the energy Spartan Nation flooded CEFCU Stadium with during the Spartans 42-18 thumping of rival No. 25 Fresno State.
Spartan Nation has been criticized by the masses – myself included – for its lack of participation over the years. And their disinterest is understandable because of SJSU’s woebegone tendencies. But last Saturday, they roared before FSU’s third down attempts, belted out “Take On Me” during a karaoke segment and even orchestrated several successful waves.
Bravo. Now maintain this energy for this Saturday’s Senior Day.
Because with a win SJSU (5-5, 4-2 MW) can complete its ascent from 1-5 to bowl eligible.
Ricky Delgado: @RickyDe70535587 “Well Matt, I’m happy u were wrong about ur prediction for how the game was gonna go last night as I’m sure you are as well. Straight up walked the dogs, back at .500 and were one win away from a bowl game, BUT HOW BOUT THE MWCCG!?!? How do you feel about our chances to get there?”
Ksa: @ks_a49 “What needs to happen to make the championship game? Win out?”
Going to bullet point it for simplification purposes:
- SJSU MUST beat San Diego State (3-7, 1-5 MW) this Saturday and UNLV (8-2, 5-1 MW) on the road on Nov. 25.
- Boise State (5-5, 4-2 MW) MUST lose one of its next two games
For starters, I like SJSU’s chances of making a Mountain West Championship because BSU is facing a Utah State (5-5, 3-3 MW) on the fringe of bowl eligibility and a sliding, but still good Air Force (8-2, 5-1 MW). What’s more, within the last week or so the Broncos fired head coach Andy Avalos and their primary offensive threat in wide receiver Eric McAlister left the program reportedly because of an NIL deal he received from a Power Five.
As for the Spartans, SDSU should be a cakewalk, but UNLV’s entered ‘scary territory.’ The Runnin’ Rebels high octane offense guided them to eight wins for the first time since 2000 and they’re three wins from notching its first 11-win campaign since 1984 when former Pro Bowl quarterback Randall Cunningham was running the show.
But as Ricky alluded to, I’ve shown a penchant for incorrect predictions. Following Saturday’s win, SJSU’s offensive line coach Josh Oglesby pointed at me and with a million-dollar-smile said “You didn’t think we had it in us, did you?”
No I didn’t.
Couldn’t help but smile back.
Ricky Delgado @RickyDe70535587 “Matt, what are your initial thoughts about the game itself? I personally loved every minute of it. Lot of puppies barking over there but all quiet now. What a turnaround by the guys from a couple months ago. On to SDSU!”
Knee jerk reaction: Kairee Robinson is a 5-foot-8-inch nightmare.
After rushing for 200 yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns to tie the program’s single-season record (15), Robinson could win the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. He’s run for 7.1 yards per carry (sixth-best nationwide), 15 rushing touchdowns (second-best nationwide) and is on pace to run for 1,200 yards. With Mountain West quarterbacks having a down year, Robinson just needs a poor closing stretch from UNLV wide receiver Ricky White (1,020 receiving yards and 60 catches) to snatch the award.
My reaction two days later: SJSU’s defense got the stop it couldn’t get in its collapses to Toledo, Air Force and Boise State.
Last Saturday, SJSU was up 28-3 in the second quarter, but then gave up a touchdown and went three-and-out. Was that cursed number going to haunt SJSU?
No it didn’t.
That’s because with about three minutes left in the first half, SJSU defensive lineman Noah Lavulo got a crucial sack on a third and six from SJSU’s 39-yard line to force a punt.
I pinpoint this because SJSU gave up a touchdown within the final 45 seconds of the first half against Toledo, Air Force and Boise State. Then went on to get outscored 56-7 in the second half during that three-game span.
Jack Bowers: @jack_t_bowers “No questions, but wow, that was fun. I’m very impressed and surprised by that win and this team rn. Maybe it’s good that they didn’t blow up the coaching staff as we were hoping for!?”
I love the mailbag because it’s one way to timestamp the season.
Ipso facto, after SJSU fell to 1-5 following the Boise State loss, Mr. Bowers here penned this reply:
“Brennan leveraged the situation in 2020 to get a big contract with promises to build sustainable success. He’s done the opposite, and this is looking like the 2013-14 years. Is the administration taking notice? or are they ok with reverting to the old dysfunction of years past?”
This isn’t meant to be a ‘gotcha moment’. Rather, a reminder of a) how fast things can turn around and b) a kudos to Brennan and his staff for navigating turbulence like Tom Hanks in “Sully” (or the real captain Captain Sully).
Matt Hamilton: @MattHamilton19 “This is a different team right now. If we beat the Aztecs, I like our chances against UNLV. I’d rate SJSU and UNLV the top two teams in the MWC right now. What say you, Matthew?”
This isn’t a joke, but my name isn’t Matthew. It’s literally just Matt. It’s so rare that I’ll go out on a limb and say I have the Victor Wembenyama of first names.
Now back to football.
I still have UNLV and Air Force at the top. But if UNLV beats Air Force this Saturday and SJSU smashes SDSU, it’s got to be the Runnin’ Rebels and Spartans at the top.
Air Force isn’t as daunting as it once was following losses to Navy (no biggie) and Hawaii (yikes), but I still think it’s at the top – for now.
Ricky Delgado: @RickyDe70535587 “Last question, what are your thoughts on our next opponent? We always struggle with them and even in a down year for SDSU as well as how we’re playing, it’s hard to gauge how it’ll go after such an emotional game after last night.”
On top of scoring the second-least points per game (20), Aztecs longtime head coach Brady Hoke just announced he’s retiring. Maybe this gives SDSU some more juice? That classic fight for coach kinda game? Then again, would Hoke retire if he wasn’t on the cusp of losing his most games since his second campaign at Ball State in 2004?
Mind you, Hoke has three years remaining on his contract and his buyout is near $5 million.
HollywoodinSJ: @HollywoodinSJ “Coach was right this was the best win of his tenure, no false starts or dumb D penalties but I am truly concerned about a let down next week. Didn’t like all the holding calls on the O line. Wondering your thoughts on this.”
I think this is fair.
Though SJSU rushed for 313 yards, it amassed five holding penalties (three on rushing plays and two on passing plays).
Thankfully, none came on a play that gained a first down, but this must be improved. UNLV’s explosive offensive makes the margin for error playsheet thin.
Johnny b good: @Johnnybgoodd_1: “Great game! Cordiero had more time throw with the run game rolling hard. OL is still killing me with the holds. Good tackling and maintaining the run gap to prevent the breakaway run. MW referees 🤦♂️didn’t reset the play clock then called delay of game.”
The biggest referee blemish came after a play when SJSU safety Tre Jenkins was shoved onto his back and the refs did nothing.
Though 15 yards would’ve been nice, SJSU still won by 24 points.