By Niles Hall (@n23hall) Spear Reporter | SJSU’s defense lines up against Central Michigan in the 16-14 loss to Central Michigan on Aug 30. (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar-Spear Photographer)
The San Jose State Spartans opened the season Friday night at CEFCU Stadium in heartbreaking fashion, losing 16-14 against the Central Michigan Chippewas.
This game quickly turned into a bruising physical battle in the trenches as Central Michigan’s running backs and huge offensive line set the tone early, rushing for 99 yards in the first two drives of the game.
After practice on Tuesday, SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo expressed the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage.
“We don’t expect anything but a physical outfit that’s coming in here with Central Michigan,” Niumatalolo said. “We’re gonna have to play well up front, we’re gonna have to stop the run. This game’s gonna be won in the trenches.”
Central Michigan overhauled its whole team, beginning a new regime under head coach Matt Drinkall. The offensive line came into the first game of the season with one returning starter.
The Spartans defensive line came into the game with a group that looks to improve off of last season with the same starters, including the key addition of redshirt senior defensive end Quincy Likio, who was hurt most of last season.
Central Michigan’s offensive approach was a run-heavy attack with 13 passing attempts and 51 rushing attempts.
SJSU found positives on third down, as Central Michigan was an inefficient 2/13 on third downs. Central Michigan’s run-heavy attack made it easy for SJSU’s front seven to tee off the run on second and third down. At times, the Spartans went to a 5-man front.
From the third drive on, the Spartans defensive front began to gain momentum little by little.
“Once we did have the slow start, we knew what it was, they were coming down to run the ball,” senior middle linebacker Jordan Pollard said. “It was our brotherhood vs their brotherhood.”
The momentum began after the Spartans held the Chippewas to a field goal after a Walker Eget strip sack fumble on the Spartans’ 16-yard line.
SJSU’s defense was able to hold Central Michigan during the middle of the game, forcing them to punt on four straight drives.
As the game began to play out, the Spartans’ run defense began to struggle. The Chippewas 51 run attempts began to wear on them. Central Michigan ran the ball 11 times on a 7-minute drive. The Spartans’ front rallied, stopping the Chippewas’ run twice to force a field goal.
SJSU’s defensive line didn’t have many stats, but as a unit, they combined for 11 tackles. But the defensive front clogging holes for a healthy Central Michigan run game allowed for standout performances from the linebackers.
Jordan Pollard had 15 tackles, and redshirt senior outside linebackers Noah McNeal-Franklin and Taniela Latu combined for 15 tackles.
“Great, I feel like number 50 [senior defensive tackle Gafa Faga] had a great game. He was out there throwing stuff around, making big plays, so was 91 [redshirt senior defensive end Quincy Likio],” Pollard said.
The Spartans look to make adjustments from Friday night’s loss and carry the positives into next week as they prepare for a heavyweight showdown against the Texas Longhorns on the road.
