By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
San Jose State dropped its fifth consecutive game Saturday night, losing to Mountain West foe Fresno State, 27-10.
SJSU fell to 1-6 overall and remains winless in conference play, while the Bulldogs improved to 3-2 and 2-0 in the conference.
It was a gut-checking night for Spartans quarterback Josh Love, as he was sacked four times and seen laying on the turf repeatedly.
Love made some throws downfield as the Spartans were trailing late, throwing up prayers, but took some shots to the ribs in return.
“We were just trying to take shots late.” Love said after the loss. “I can’t put our team in that hole. We need to start fast in the beginning.”
As for answers, they are still unknowns to the quarterback, saying that week after week, the practice doesn’t translate.
“We just don’t execute, simple as that,” Love said. He finished 15/25 for 97 yards, a TD and an INT.
Head coach Brent Brennan called his offense “self-destructing,” saying it’s far from where it needs to be to win football games.
“Offensively, we just have a long way to go,” Brennan said.
That means protecting the ball, as the Spartans gave up the football four more times tonight, racking the turnovers up to 24 on the year.
“Anytime you lose the turnover battle, you’re going to have a hard time winning a football game,” Brennan said.
The bright spot on the Spartan offense continues to be true freshman Tyler Nevens who has advanced as the feature back on this young squad.
Nevens carried the load with 21 touches for 99 yards, both season highs.
“I have a lot more confidence in myself,” Nevens said. “Having faith in our players and the team, that’s what drives me to what I can do.”
As a freshman, Brennan enjoys seeing him grind and grow and thinks San Jose will too.
“He’s someone that the spartan faithful are going to love around here the next few years,” Brennan said about his first year back.
On defense, same story.
Frank Ginda shined in the tackling department, but when it mattered most, the Spartans couldn’t make a stop.
Fresno State converted on all three fourth-down attempts, a down that has plagued the Spartans all year, as the SJSU defense still does not have a turnover on down.
Ginda excelled once again in tackles, taking down 19 Bulldogs, but couldn’t care less as he just wants to win.
“All those accolades and stuff don’t matter, we have to get a W,” Ginda said.
The Spartans will visit Hawaii next week still in search of their first conference win.
