By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | SJSU defensive front lines up against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Nov. 1 (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar – Spear Photographer)
The San Jose State Spartans (3-5, 2-2 MW), coming off an eventful 45-38 victory, will look to build their first winning streak of the season as they face the Air Force Falcons (2-6, 1-4 MW).
SJSU will prepare for what promises to be another offensive shootout against Air Force. The Falcons lead the Mountain West in total offense, averaging 455 yards per game, while the Spartans come off a historic performance of 630 total yards.
“Don’t look at their record…They’ve been in a lot of tough games like us,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said.
The Spartans’ offensive scheme is lifted by the nation’s leader in receiving yards, sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero who currently has 1085 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
SJSU is second in the conference in total offense, averaging 453 yards per game, coming off a game where SJSU senior quarterback Walker Eget passed for 458 yards and the team ran for 172 yards, the team’s largest total yards since 2013.
“He’s [Walker] been playing at such a high level…Walker has been doing a great job of understanding what his teammates can do and understanding what we’re trying to do on offense,” SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said.
The Falcons’ number one offense is the total opposite of the Spartans’ offensive approach. The Falcons rely on a dominant rushing attack, averaging an astonishing 270 rushing yards while just passing the ball 16 times per game.
“Our defense has their work cut out for them trying to get ready for these guys because it’s a totally different scheme, totally different approach and they’re really good at what they do,” Niumatalolo said.
SJSU’s defense will have to adjust quickly. Last week, the Spartans faced Hawaii, the Mountain West’s No. 2 passing offense. This week, they take on the conference’s top rushing team.
The Falcons’ offense is led by dual-threat sophomore quarterback Liam Szarka, who is second in the conference with 816 rushing yards and leads the team with 10 rushing touchdowns.
The Falcons have four ball carriers with over 40 carries this season, creating a challenge for opponents. Junior running back Owen Allen leads the ground game with 57 rushing yards per game, while gadget senior wide receiver Cade Harris averages 37 rushing yards and leads the team in receiving yards with 67 per game.
“Facing the No.2 rushing offense in the country, the guys are up for the challenge,” SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum said. “They’re eager to get out there and compete against a team as formidable as Air Force.”
SJSU’s run defense has been serviceable but inconsistent, showing solid gap integrity in some games while getting gashed in others. It will be vital for the defense to make some stops.
The Spartans’ piping hot offense looks to stay hot against a subpar Falcons defense. SJSU’s offense has proven to win through the pass game with the likes of junior wide receivers Leland Smith, Kyri Shoels and Scudero. The team has also proven to win games on the ground with freshman running back Steve Chavez-Soto and sophomore Lamar Radcliffe.
On the other hand, the Falcons have the conference’s No. 11-ranked defense, which has proven to lose games. The defense has slowly improved. With struggles with a young secondary, stopping the run and getting pressure on quarterbacks.
“I don’t think their statistics reflect how they play. The coaches do a great job with them, and they’re in the position to make plays and those guys do make plays,” Stutzmann said.
The Spartans will look to win two in a row on their much-anticipated homecoming at 3 p.m. on Nov. 8 at CEFCU Stadium.
