By Niles Hall (@n23hall) Spear Reporter | Senior quarterback Walker Eget takes the snap on Aug.29 in SJSU’s week 1 loss vs. Central Michigan. (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar – Spear Photographer)
The bye week came at the right time for SJSU Football after a series of unfortunate events led the team to a 0-2 start to the season. Here are a few areas where the team should improve coming out of the bye week, as they look to get a season full of high expectations back on track:
Walker Eget gets on the same page with receivers
SJSU’s redshirt senior quarterback, Walker Eget, has had a rough start to the season for the Spartans. Eget is responsible for four crucial turnovers and has a 52.9 completion percentage, which is down from last season’s 57.3.
Despite not returning a single starting wide receiver, the Spartans’ new receiving corps has shown flashes of potential in the first two games as it continues to build chemistry with quarterback Walker Eget.
Redshirt sophomore transfer Danny Scudero is leading the way with 16 receptions for 255 yards. Redshirt junior Kyri Shoels is behind him with 10 receptions for 87 yards. SJSU junior transfer Leland Smith has shown flashes of talent and athleticism with limited targets.
SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzman’s ‘Spread and Shred’ offense is built around receivers running option routes. This requires quarterbacks and receivers to always be on the same page. However, when executed properly, it has the potential to be elite.
From the outside looking in, the Spartans’ offense has yet to click with missed wide-open receivers and poorly timed throws.
During the bye week, the Spartans made it a priority to clean up decision-making, in hopes of reaching their full potential and showcasing their many weapons.
Fix kicking struggles
Overall, SJSU’s special teams have been solid. Redshirt junior punter Trent Carrizosa is sixth in the Mountain West in punt average, including two punts that landed inside the 20 in last week’s loss to Texas.
This level of consistency is not seen in the Spartans field goal kicking game as redshirt senior transfer placekicker Denis Lynch is 0/4 on the season, with these kicks coming outside of 30 yards. With two potential game-winning kicks missed in the week one loss to Central Michigan.
Early in Lynch’s career at USC, he showed he was talented enough to be the Spartans’ kicker. From 2022 to 2023, Lynch was 11/11 on field goals 40 yards plus, including a career-long 53-yard field goal.
Before playing at SJSU, Lynch was 70 percent on field goal makes, which is slightly below average.
Despite a tough start to the season, the Spartans coaching staff continues to back Lynch, understanding that confidence is key for kickers.
SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said, “Im happy to see Denis as he presses forward.”
If Lynch’s struggle continues, the Spartans’ coaching staff will face a tough choice, with sophomore backup kicker Mathias Brown ready to step in. Brown has yet to kick a collegiate-level field goal.
Find consistency in the run game
SJSU’s running back trio is averaging a below-average 3.7 yards per carry. A unit that has faced two challenging run defenses and hasn’t risen to the occasion.
The Spartan trio in the backfield consists of senior running back Floyd Chalk, who is leading the team with 83 rushing yards on 20 carries. Chalk is relieved by sophomore Lamar Radcliffe, who has run for 31 yards on 12 carries.
Third-string redshirt junior running back Jabari Bates has 40 yards on 10 carries, gaining these season totals in the Spartans’ loss against Texas. Bates got this opportunity after Chalk and Radcliffe had two first-half fumbles in SJSU territory.
SJSU runs a pass-heavy offense, which means the running backs are responsible for helping in pass protection. In that department, the halfbacks have been solid.
In the Spartans’ spread-and-shred offense, the run game is meant to complement the passing attack. So far, it hasn’t delivered. Costly fumbles and inconsistent gains have turned it into more of a setback than a strength.
If the Spartans’ offense wants to find their rhythm, a big part of that will be being consistent in the run game.
The Spartans will look to make their way out of a 0-2 hole against the Idaho Vandals on Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. at CEFCU Stadium.
