NCAA Football Spotlight on San Jose State
Conference Leader Nevada Knows the Way to Spartan Stadium
Nov 4, 2009
Yet with five games remaining to play, the Spartans remain hopeful they can turn the season around and finish on a positive note.
In the National Spotlight
The first day of the rest of the season begins Sunday, when Western Athletic Conference leader Nevada (4-0, 5-3) visits Spartans Stadium for a 5:30 p.m. start. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN and San Jose State (0-3, 1-6) would like to show its better side.
"I continue to believe in our football team," Spartans' coach Dick Tomey said. "There's no easy answer. You have to keep fighting. At this point we've got to get that first win and that would feel good."
Hampered by not having the full complement of scholarships as a result of academic sanctions from the previous coaching staff, San Jose State could not afford to lose so many players to injuries. That's exactly what has happened.
"I don't like talking about the players we don't have," Tomey said. "I'd rather talk about the guys who will be playing."
Back in the Saddle Again
Jordan La Secla is among those who will be playing. The junior quarterback was replaced by senior Kyle Reed after throwing an interception in last week's 45-7 loss at Boise State. Tomey explained it wasn't the interception that caused the change.
"Kyle went in because he's done some good things," the coach said. "The interception was as much Kevin's (Jurovich) responsibility as Jordan's."
San Jose State has not produced the kind of numbers either offensively or defensively that it would have liked. Only New Mexico State has scored fewer points and no one has allowed more points, on average, than the Spartans.
San Jose State ranks last in both rushing offense and rushing defense, last in total defense and next-to-last in total offense. The Spartans have started nine freshmen this season, and have moved players around to shore up the lack of depth at some positions.
"We're 1-6 right now," Spartans' defensive lineman Adonis Davis said. "We have to get this thing turned around. We have to get back to work."
No Gambling Allowed
Nevada knows about turning things around. After losing their first three games, the Wolf Pack have won the past five in a row under Chris Ault, who is as much a part of Nevada as silver.
Nevada has won six of the past seven games against San Jose State and brings one of the most dynamic offenses in the nation. The Wolf Pack ranks second in the nation in total offense, producing over 500 yards per game, and first in rushing with an average of 319.1 per game.
Junior Colin Kaepernick leads the WAC and ranks 12th nationally in total offense, producing 284.5 yards a game. He's rushed for 805 yards and passed for 1,471 yards.
"Kaepernick is a great runner who can throw," Tomey said. "The running quarterback has changed the game. It's like the single wing. This game is a big challenge for us."
Irish Eyes are Smiling
The San Jose State football program hosted Gaelic football player Philip Smith for the week. He plays for Templeogue-Syngestreet in the Gaelic Football League, related more to rugby than American football. He's a halfback, which is a defensive position.
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