NCAA Football, San Jose State Takes the Bye
Four Weeks Into the Season, Spartans Learn a Lot About Themselves
Sep 29, 2009
"We've changed a lot as a football team the past four weeks," said the 29-year veteran as a head coach. "We know more about our personnel. Now we'll get some players back who have not played."
Bye Week Keeps the Roster Refreshed
The Spartans enter its bye week on the heels of their first win in four games. They defeated visiting Cal Poly, 19-9, and it gave Tomey an indication his club is about to make its mark in the WAC, which begins with visiting Idaho on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m. local time.
"Our team needed to win a game like this in the fourth quarter, where we needed to make play on offense, defense and special teams."
The offense scored the clinching touchdown with under five minutes to play, the defense ended Cal Poly's last threat when Tanner Burns intercepted a pass in the final seconds, and special teams pinned the Mustangs behind the 20-yard line and blocked a field goal late in the fourth quarter.
As a prelude, Burns recovered a fumble that led to the go-ahead score in the third quarter. The sophomore safety also led the team with 11 tackles and was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Week. He's the son of San Jose State defensive coordinator Keith Burns
"He's been the right man at the right place at the right time a whole lot this year," Tomey said. "He's made tremendous progress."
One Spartan Leap for Quarterback, One Step for Running Back
Junior quarterback Jordan La Secla and junior running back Lamon "Mojo" Muldrow have also emerged since the beginning of the season and have assumed starting roles.
La Secla gained the signal calling reigns for the first time against Stanford, winning the job from senior incumbent Kyle Reed. He threw for a pair of touchdowns against the Mustangs.
"He stunk it up in the first quarter but he came back and did a good job," Tomey said. "He stepped up in the pocket when he knew he was going to get hit. He's done a really good job."
Tomey had no choice but to use Muldrow after two other running backs were injured. The junior college transfer responded with 184 rushing yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. He also set up another score with a 71-yard dash.
"He got in against Stanford and did some good things," Tomey said. "This was an opportunity for him. The door was open and he knocked it down. That's the best game a back has played since I've been here. He made 100 yards after contact. He made people miss, he has breakaway speed and he caught the ball."
Finely Tuned Instincts of a Runner
Muldrow established himself as one of the top halfbacks in his two years at Sierra College in Rocklin. He led the state in scoring in both years and led the state in rushing once.
"Running the ball is a matter of instinct in a lot of ways," Tomey said. "You can ask a good back why did he make a certain cut and he won't be able to tell you. He just makes it. Mojo knows when to zig and knows when to zag."
Muldrow came to San Jose State thinking he would need to add weight to play at a major college. As it turns out, all he needed was to keep his quickness intact.
"He has a great mentality," said Tomey. "It's a matter of confidence. He didn't always need a block to make plays. He ran over people or made them miss."
Extra Points, First Downs and the Injury Report
San Jose State's top two backs -- senior Pat Perry and sophomore Brandon Rutley -- are expected to play against Idaho, though Muldrow earned another start.
"It would be hard not to start him," Tomey said. "You honor the the best and most recent job."
The Spartans are also expecting junior defensive tackle Justin Willis, sophomore defensive end Joe Nigos, junior running back Dominique Hunsucker and sophomore cornerback Alex Germany back in the fold.
Senior guard Steve Lightsy was used as a defensive tackle last week, while junior linebacker Ryno Gonzalez will work out as a fullback as well.
Senior punter Philip Zavala had punts downed at the 1-yard line on two successive possessions in the second half.
Junior receiver Kevin Jurovich is one of three players nationally with three consecutive 100-plus yards in receiving.
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