By Abel Tariku (@AT_SJSU) – Managing Editor – Redshirt senior quarterback Walker Eget handing the ball to senior running back Floyd Chalk IV (Photo by Mohammad Najimi- Spear Photographer)
Many seem to be concerned about SJSU football after its week two loss to No. 7-ranked Texas on Saturday, now putting the team with an 0-2 start to the season.
However, these losses are not a reason to give up on this team just yet.
The Spartans still have one of the best air raid offenses in college as they led the entire Mountain West in passing yards and touchdowns last year with 4183 yards and 31 touchdowns.
That relentless offense was evident during their game against Central Michigan where redshirt senior Walker Eget put up over 300 yards and two touchdowns.
Redshirt sophomore Danny Scudero is an explosive receiver with break neck speed who put up nine catches for 189 yards and a touchdown against Central Michigan.
The main issue of the Spartans’ offense are turnovers. It was a key part in the loss against the Longhorns where they committed four that were all in the first half.
“It’s two weeks in a row that turnovers kill us,” head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “We had no chance, you know, against these guys turning the ball that much.”
The good thing is that turnovers are something that can be worked on as the Spartans enter their bye week. Practice makes perfect and if Eget and the offense can be more accurate and stay more sharp with the ball, the sky is the limit.
Another thing that will be something to look forward to is the improvement to the defense specifically in the pass rush.
The defensive line was giving sophomore quarterback Arch Manning pressure a majority of the game and redshirt junior Vili Taufatofua would actually break through and record a strip sack.
The team didn’t give up no matter the scoreline. They would even hold Manning and the Texas offense scoreless for the entire fourth quarter finding it extremely impressive and goes to show how special they are.
The Spartans schedule is in their favor as four out of eight teams they face in the Mountain West had a bottom five ranked defense in the conference last year.
That gives them an opportunity to build some heavy momentum throughout the season and prove that this team is no joke.
SJSU’s next matchup is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 against the Idaho Vandals as they return back home to hopefully snag its first win of the season.
