By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | SJSU senior quarterback Luke Weaver adjusts his helmet against the University of Wyoming, Oct.9 (Photo by Cesar Maya – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State football (3-3, 1-1 MW) will hit the road to face the University of Texas at El Paso (1-5, 0-2 MW), looking to bounce back after suffering a 16-13 loss to the University of Wyoming.
“We feel like our record could be better or could be worse,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “All of our focus is on this week and finding a way to play our best game. We’ve been inconsistent this whole year, and hopefully we can coach better, starting with me, and play better.”
SJSU took a step back against Wyoming compared with its previous performances this season. The Spartans’ offense struggled, scoring just 13 points against a Wyoming defense that had allowed 22 points per game before the matchup.
“When you lose to a team like Wyoming…they played hard; they did what they had to do to win,” SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said. “But we didn’t help at all, and there were some things that, characteristically, I’m used to, and things I live by, and it’s not showing up right now.”
SJSU’s offense will look to regain its rhythm. This season, the Spartans average 11.5 yards per pass completion, down from last season’s 13.5 yards.
An historically essential part of Stutzmann’s offense has been its explosive passing game. This season, the Spartans have recorded 37 passes for 20 yards or more. At this point last season, SJSU had 45.
“I believe when it’s all said and done, I haven’t done a great job at making sure that we are attacking every single series and every play,” Stutzmann said. We got to get back to attacking defenses and taking what we want, and that’s what we’re going to do moving forward.”
SJSU will look to unlock this part of the offense against UTEP’s passing defense, which ranks seventh in the Mountain West.
“We’re missing a core element of what we do and what made us special for the last two and a half years, and we’re bringing that back,” Stutzmann said. “So getting back to that aggressive nature, taking it to the defense, knowing what they’re weak at and just putting pressure on that sucker.”
SJSU senior quarterback Luke Weaver ranks second in the Mountain West in passing yards, averaging 254 per game, but also second in interceptions with 6.
The Spartans have struggled to sustain efficient offensive possessions, and Weaver’s turnovers will need to be cleaned up moving forward. Weaver’s availability for Saturday’s matchup remains uncertain.
“He’s banged up … Luke’s a tough kid, and he took some shots,” Niumatalolo said on his weekly appearance on KNBR. “Whether it’s Robbie McDaniel or Daniel Rolovich, they’re all in practice. It’s still Thursday; we’ve got a couple more days and see what happens.”
SJSU’s lack of explosive plays has led the team to rely on junior running back Jabari Bates, who ranks second in the Mountain West in rushing yards per game, averaging 92.7.
Bates also leads the conference in rushing attempts by a wide margin, which has taken a toll on his efficiency, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, down from his average of 4.6.
If SJSU improves its pass game, it will take a lot of the load off its star running back, making its rushing attack more efficient and unpredictable.
Defensively, SJSU has held strong, keeping the team competitive in almost every game this season. SJSU is tied for first in the conference with 16 sacks and is second in tackles for loss with 33.
The unit has a bend-don’t-break identity. The unit is last in the Mountain West in time of possession, which limits opportunities for its already struggling offense. The defense has shown fatigue in crunch time.
“You know we got to finish off some of those fourth-quarter games, and if we can be better at those, then we will be in a better spot as a defense,” SJSU defensive coordinator Bojay Filimoeatu said. ”Those guys accept the challenge, and they always hit with their heads up high and chin up.”
A key point for the Spartans’ defense this week will be getting off the field early to give the offense opportunities to find its rhythm.
SJSU special teams has struggled, with junior kicker Trajan Sinatra at 11-for-15 on field goals after missing a field goal in each of the last two games.
The goal is to play complementary football and get back in rhythm against UTEP at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Sun Bowl.
