By Niles Hall (@n23hall) Spear Reporter | SJSU wide receivers Leland Smith and Danny Scudero celebrate a touchdown during SJSU’s week 1 loss vs. Central Michigan. on Aug.29 (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar – Spear Photographer)
Coming off a timely bye week, the San Jose State Spartans (0-2) look to bounce back against the Idaho Vandals (2-1).
The Spartans come into the game with a sense of urgency after a season filled with high hopes that eventually turned into a shaky start.
But with a bulk of the season remaining, SJSU will look to turn things around against a formidable opponent.
The Spartans have expressed confidence in turning things around.
“We’d love to be in a better spot at this point, but we also recognize we still have a lot to play for,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said after practice on Tuesday.
Idaho enters the game led by redshirt sophomore Joshua Wood, a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. Wood is familiar with the Spartans, having spent the first two years of his collegiate career with Mountain West rival Fresno State.
The Vandals personnel draws similarities to Central Michigan, which the Spartans played in week one of their season. Idaho’s offense has a big physical offensive line and a run-heavy offensive approach.
“Central Michigan and Texas… prepared us for a physical team, [Idaho]” Niumatalolo said.
Idaho’s rushing attack is anchored by redshirt sophomore Art Williams, who has totaled 226 yards on 42 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. He is complemented by redshirt senior Elisha Cummings, who has contributed 94 yards on 25 carries.
Adding to the rushing attack is quarterback Joshua Wood, who has 273 yards on 28 carries. This forms a balanced and dynamic rushing unit for the Vandals.
Williams and Wood are in the top three in rushing yards in the Big Sky Conference.
The Spartans will have to be sound in the run defense, which is something that they showed as a strength through the beginning of the season.
“We’ve got to make sure our D-line is staying in their lanes and not giving up rushing lanes and not giving him [Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood] a crease to get out of there,” SJSU senior linebacker Jordan Pollard said.
Offensively for the Spartans, Saturday’s game will be about finding a rhythm. Through the first two games of the season, the offense has yet to find a consistent rhythm.
SJSU has given up six turnovers in two weeks of play.
The Spartans coaching staff expressed that the bye week came at the right time to fix these issues.
“I want to see us play clean football… and that’s what we haven’t been able to do,” SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said. “So consistency, taking care of the football and executing, and scoring touchdowns.”
SJSU’s offense will look to unlock junior wide receiver Leland Smith, who has shown his talent and athleticism with limited opportunity.
“We’ve got to get him [Leland Smith] the football more in order for us to be good on offense,” Stutzmann said. “Just a couple of targets a game and just trying to throw it deep is not going to cut it.”
Keep an eye on the Spartans’ field goal unit. Senior kicker Denis Lynch is currently 0-for-4 on field goal attempts this season. Lynch will be looking to regain confidence and make his first field goal of the year.
With a lot to prove on Saturday afternoon, the Spartans will look to get their first win of the season at 2 p.m. at CEFCU Stadium.
