By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Spear Reporter | Offensive Coordinator Craig Stutzmann wanders the sideline in SJSU’s week one matchup versus Sacramento State (photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
In his new home Spartans head coach Ken Niumatalolo is already making a big impact.
SJSU football’s (2-0) 17-7 win over Air Force (1-1) marks the first time in school history the Spartans have defeated Air Force on the road.
Niumatalolo has faced off against Air Force 16 times as a head coach. But this matchup was something unlike all of the other ones.
“That was as suffocating an effort as I’ve had against them,” Niumatalolo said.
The main highlight for the Spartans was the defense as they limited Air Force to seven points with the only touchdown being given up in the first quarter.
The Spartans’ defense did a good job limiting the run and forcing Air Force into third and longs. This was key due to the fact that Air Force lacks a strong passing attack.
This included a big fourth down stop by junior linebacker Jordan Pollard who pummeled Air Force junior quarterback John Busha for a loss of two yards.
Pollard was flying all over the field as he would rack up a career-high 17 tackles.
“We did great today; we got two linebackers to the top of the tackle list,” Pollard said. “We were just flying around doing our jobs.”
Busha was limited to 57 yards through the air and threw two interceptions.
The final nail in the coffin for Air Force was an interception made by senior linebacker Jordan Cobbs. After the big momentum swing the Falcons did not have enough time to get back in the game.
Another top performer on the defensive side of the ball was senior linebacker Taniela Latu who racked up eight total tackles on the night.
“Discipline was a key emphasis for us this week,” Latu said. “The scout team that we had this week really helped us key in on our reads to get ready and be clean for today’s game.”
SJSU would not let Air Force get into a rhythm across the whole game as the Falcons were held to 197 total yards of offense.
All of the touchdowns were scored in the first quarter as both teams’ defenses would clamp down for the second half.
Offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann’s spread-n-shred offense was on full display in the first half. The Spartans were able to get 171 yards passing through the air and two touchdown passes.
SJSU moved the ball well on its first drive of the game which was capped off by an 18-yard touchdown reception by senior wide receiver Nick Nash.
Nash’s final tally on the game would be seven receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.
The Spartans got out to a 14 point lead at halftime due to the fact that Air Force struggled to keep up with SJSU’s high flying passing attack.
One new fold that Stutzmann said he would be looking to incorporate into the offense was the use of tight ends and that was on full display.
Sophomore quarterback Emmett Brown aired it out to junior tight end Jackson Canaan for a 58-yard touchdown showcasing the fact that the tight ends can be used for the deep ball in this offense.
Canaan would finish the game with three receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown.
“(Our tight ends) are huge for the run game and huge for the pass game,” Brown said. “They’re consistent bodies they can catch and then get dirty in the box.”
In his second start Brown would throw for 262 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Spartans have been calling a lot of plays for the deep ball in the first two games to some mixed results.
But when the play hits, it can flip the game big time in SJSU’s favor.
“It’s game by game, practice by practice getting those deep balls down,” Brown said. “It’s still something I got to get better at and just get it out there and let our guys run underneath it.”
With the defense flying and the passing game looking sharp Air Force was able to key in on SJSU’s run game limiting them to 50 net yards rushing.
Junior running back Floyd Chalk IV was held to 43 yards on 15 attempts.
The Spartans win was a huge milestone for the program as they hope to take this momentum into week three.
“This is a hard team to beat anywhere but at home, it’s even harder,” Niumatalolo said. “Super happy for our players and coaches to get San Jose State’s first win against them here on the road.”
SJSU will be back home as they are scheduled to face Kennesaw State (0-2) on Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. at CEFCU Stadium.
