By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | Wide receiver Danny Scudero runs up the sideline vs. Central Michigan. on Aug. 29 (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar – Spear Photographer)
The San Jose State Spartans return home to CEFCU Stadium in a pivotal Mountain West matchup against the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
The Spartans come off their bye week looking to lay to rest a two-game losing streak. The challenge won’t be easy, as the team will have to deal with the Mountain West’s No. 3 ranked Rainbow Warriors.
SJSU’s week off allowed the team to get healthy after a stretch of physical matchups the weeks before.
“It was critical for our guys to take a little break and exhale and get treatment,” offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said. “It’s gonna be a war of attrition… The guys that can keep their guys engaged, take care of the football and the guys who can keep their guys healthy, their gonna end up winning the next five weeks and playing into December.”
The Rainbow Warriors will also come off a bye week with a three-game winning streak, making the Mountain West take notice beating Air Force, Utah State and Colorado State.
This matchup will feature the top two passing offenses in the Mountain West. SJSU leads the conference, averaging 313 passing yards per game, and the University of Hawaii is a close second with 295.
The Spartans’ pass-heavy offense, led by senior quarterback Walker Eget, will enter this game with Hawaii’s physical defense awaiting.
“Defensively, that’s where they hang their hat…They play hard, they play fast, they’re physical, they’re going after the football. I really think that’s the heartbeat of that team,” Coach Stutzmann said.
SJSU’s offense has been explosive throughout this season, proving to put up yards on any defense. Sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero, the nation’s leader in receiving yards, has shown the ability to run past any secondary he faces.
Keep an eye out for freshman running back Steve Chavez-Soto to set the tone Saturday night. The Rainbow Warriors allow on average 127 rushing yards per game.
The Rainbow Warriors’ passing prowess, led by freshman quarterback Micah Alejado, may pose a problem for the Spartans, who rank 11th in the conference in passing defense.
“If you look at it statistically, it’s their strength versus our weakness,” SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum said. “Our guys are excited for the challenge; it’s gonna be a big challenge for sure.”
The Spartans’ defense will have their hands full as they try to shut down Hawaii’s dynamic receiving core led by junior Pofele Ashlock with 494 yards this season and sophomore Jackson Harris, who has posted three straight 100-plus-yard games with four touchdowns. Harris has 467 yards this season.
The Rainbow Warriors’ pass attack is complemented by dual-threat running back Landon Sims, who has 382 rushing yards along with 213 receiving yards.
Hawaii’s offense has shown the tendency to turn the ball over, having 14 turnovers on the season. It will be imperative for SJSU’s defense to win the turnover battle to slow Hawaii’s offense down.
The Spartans have struggled in close games this season, with four of their five losses coming by just one score. The Rainbow Warriors forecast to be another nail-biter. The Spartans must address their late-game woes.
“We’re really emphasizing being able to finish. We’ve had some issues and struggles in the past, but this bye week really helped us look back and look in the mirror,” Eget said.
After a month hiatus, the Spartans return home to CEFCU Stadium to take on the Rainbow Warriors at 7:30 on Nov.1.
