Nobody likes San Jose

Talk about pouring two more tablespoons of a slap in the face into the Fresno State-San Jose State rivalry -- former Fresno State offensive coordinators Jim McElwain and Doug Nussmeier BOTH reportedly turned down offers to be the next head coach at San Jose State.

Preview: San Jose State (1-4, 0-1) @ Fresno State (2-3, 1-1)

Quarterbacks
Edge: Bulldogs
Fresno State’s Ryan Colburn (6-3, 220) enters homecoming against the Bulldogs’ longest rival on a high note. While Colburn didn’t put up gaudy numbers in a 42-17 win at Hawaii, he was about as efficient as could be, completing 12 of 14 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. The two incompletions were dropped passes, and Colburn was interception-free for the first time as a starter. The junior lefty simply followed the game plan, spread the ball from sideline to sideline and kept the Hawaii defense from flooding the middle of the field. He’ll be challenged by a San Jose State team that, like Hawaii, has had great success gathering takeaways this season. On the year, Colburn has 910 yards, nine touchdowns and seven picks, while completing 60% of his throws. True freshman Derek Carr (6-3, 190) played the fourth quarter – his second career game action – and completed 2 of 3 passes. Redshirt freshman Ebahn Feathers (6-0, 210) didn’t play as Pat Hill had concerns about the rainy weather and a reserve center, but is likely to see time against San Jose State by the second quarter.

San Jose State junior Jordan La Secla (6-3, 205) is coming off his first 300-plus-yard game, but it resulted in a loss at home to Idaho. La Secla completed 31 of 43 passes for 302 yards and two interceptions, giving him 914 yards, six scores and five picks on the season to go with a 62.2% completion rate. La Secla has started the Spartans’ past three games (including their only win of the season against Cal Poly), after senior Kyle Reed (6-3, 215), a former Cal transfer, struggled in his first two starts. Reed is 14 of 26 for 104 yards. The most impressive stat these two quarterbacks contributed to is the Spartans’ 100% scoring rate in the red zone (one of just three teams nationally that can say that) – granted they’ve only made it to the red zone 11 times.

Running Backs
Edge: Bulldogs
Junior Ryan Mathews (5-11, 220) is on the verge of entering the Fresno State record books in some major categories. He’s seven yards from passing Kelly Skipper for 10th on the school’s career yardage list, and tied with Wendell Mathis after his fifth consecutive 100-yard game at Hawaii. Expect Mathews to break the mark against a suspect San Jose State run defense. Mathews averages a nation-best 148.2 yards per game and has rushed for 741 yards and six touchdowns on 6.7 per carry this season. He’s got 2,230 (6.1 average) and 26 touchdowns in two-plus seasons. And that’s just one of the four backs San Jose State has to worry about. The Bulldogs’ No. 2 rusher, true freshman Robbie Rouse (5-7, 185), has squirted, spun and sprinted his way to 297 yards and three touchdowns and is second in the nation at 8.7 yards per carry. Then throw in seniors Lonyae Miller (5-11, 220) and Anthony Harding (6-0, 220), who rushed for 62 and 99 yards respectively last season at San Jose State with Mathews injured and Rouse still in high school, and it’s obvious the Spartans should be concerned. Harding had two touchdowns in last season’s 24-10 ‘Dogs win, and fifth-stringer Jamaal Rashad rushed for a career-high 41 yards in last season’s match-up.

San Jose State, on the other hand, totaled minus-5 yards rushing in the 2008 game against a Fresno State defense that ranked among the nation’s worst at stopping the run. Things do look a little better this year as the Spartans have introduced junior college transfer junior Lamon Muldrow (5-9, 210), who leads the team with 235 yards and two scores (5.7 per carry). Muldrow showed he is capable of breaking a big play, with a 71-yard long. More good news for San Jose State came with sophomore Brandon Rutley’s (5-10, 190) return to the field last week. Rutley has just four carries for six yards this year, but was second on the team with 356 yards and three scores last season.

Receivers
Edge: Bulldogs
It’s no secret any longer Fresno State has depth rivaled by no one in the WAC at wide receiver. The biggest trick is sharing the ball with everyone and balancing it with the running game – which the Bulldogs will continue to lead with. The most pleasant surprise remains senior Chastin West (6-1, 215), who is third on the team with 152 yards and has two touchdowns (15.2 yards per catch). Senior Seyi Ajirotutu (6-4, 210) is the most immediate NFL prospect and has a team-high 231 yards with two scores. Ajirotutu was the deep threat last season, but has been used as more of a possession receiver this year, seeing his yards per catch drop from 16.9 to 13.6. Junior burner Devon Wylie (5-9, 170) leads the squad with three touchdowns and is second with 215 yards (15.4 per catch). The missing link right now is senior Marlon Moore (6-1, 190), another burner who emerged as a sophomore but has had disappointing production the past two years. Moore got off on the right foot with a 90-yard touchdown catch in the season opener, but has been quiet since. The biggest question is whether Fresno State’s receivers can get open this year? Last time against San Jose State, the Spartans’ secondary held the Bulldogs to just five catches for 71 yards in an ugly display of offenses.

The bright spot in an otherwise dim Spartans offense has been the return of senior Kevin Jurovich (6-0, 190), who was injured last season after being converted from safety. Jurovich picked up where he left off with a team-high 463 yards on the year – but no touchdowns. In 2007, Jurovich had eight receptions for 58 yards in a 30-0 loss at Fresno State. But he might be able to do more damage against the Bulldogs’ suspect secondary this time around. Junior Marquis Avery (6-4, 200) is a new threat to the Bulldogs with his size, and ranks second on the team with 224 yards and a Spartans-high three scores. After that, the Spartans’ running backs are the biggest threats in the passing game – they like to look for both Muldrow and Rutley (when he’s healthy). San Jose State just can’t compare with the Bulldogs’ depth at the position.

Offensive Line
Edge: Bulldogs
This unit has done more than any other on the Bulldogs to prove itself from the time fall camp began until now. It’s another spot – along with running back and receiver – where no one in the WAC can compare. The line has been playing so well that it’s easy to take the work for granted. As a team, the Bulldogs average 5.9 yards per carry. And any time you’re paving the way for the nation’s leading rusher and a freshman who ranks second in yards per carry – you’re doing something right. Fresno State’s allowed just five sacks in five games, and the depth was shown last week when senior Richard Pacheco (6-2, 285) stepped in for injured center Joey Bernardi (6-2, 280) and didn’t skip a beat. The team will be in good hands with either as the starter on Saturday.

San Jose State’s numbers aren’t so impressive. The Spartans’ backs average just 2.6 yards per carry – not strictly the line’s fault, but partly. The proof is in the pudding – which in this case is an embarrassing concoction of 15 sacks by San Jose State opponents. If the Bulldogs continue the trend, the Spartans offense will have little chance to keep up with Fresno State. Though the Spartans have great continuity dating back to 2007, when three freshmen started on the line, senior center Ronnie Castillo (6-0, 292) is the only real honors candidate. Castillo is a member of the Rimington Award watch list with 26 career starts under his belt.

Defensive Line
Edge: Spartans
The Mega Man nickname earned by junior end Chris Carter (6-2, 230) is looking more and more accurate each game. Carter has solidified himself among the WAC’s best ends while playing with a giant club cast on his hand since Week 2 at Wisconsin. All he’s done in that time is risen to the top of the conference with four sacks (though watching film of the Hawaii game he should seemingly have five). He’s also wreaked havoc with three hurries, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. There simply aren’t any tackles fast enough to keep up with Carter’s motor – he had a team-high eight tackles against the Spartans last season. The problem is not one other linemen – heck, not one other defender – on the Bulldogs has a single sack. Sophomore end Kenny Borg (6-3, 245) showed an improved pass rush at Hawaii, and has two hurries, but still isn’t quite making plays. The same holds true for sophomore tackle Logan Harrell (6-2, 275), who occasionally breaks through the protection but doesn’t do it in time to finish.

Last year’s San Jose State squad boasted a line that was flatout deadly. But with Jarron Gilbert off to the NFL, the Spartans haven’t been quite as stingy. Still, senior end Carl Ihenacho (6-3, 256) poses a huge threat. Ihenacho is third on the team with 33 tackles – a nasty number for any lineman through five games. Comparatively, Carter leads Fresno State’s linemen with 11 tackles. Ihenacho also has team-highs with two sacks, three tackles for losses and three fumble recoveries. Senior tackle Adonis Davis (6-2, 295) is the other experienced veteran and has a sack and two tackles for losses. Ihenacho had three tackles for losses against Fresno State last season, but Davis recorded just a single tackle.

Linebackers
Edge: Bulldogs
Junior Ben Jacobs (6-3, 225) showed had his most impressive pass coverage outing of his career at Hawaii, dropping back often and even picking off a pass. Jacobs leads Fresno State with 34 tackles (two for losses). Junior Nico Herron (6-3, 240) should have had his second interception of the season but dropped it late in the game. He got off to a hot start but has been inconsistent since. Everyone’s still awaiting a breakout game by sophomore Kyle Knox (6-1, 215), who shows flashes of being a more vicious hitter and fast-paced aggressor than any of his teammates, but the dependability hasn’t fully clicked yet. Knox and Jacobs each had seven tackles at San Jose State last year.

San Jose State goes with a two-linebacker set, and starts two seniors in Travis Jones (6-1, 230) and Justin Cole (6-3, 240). Both had big games against the Bulldogs last season, with eight and six tackles respectively. Cole assisted on a tackle for loss and had a fumble recovery. Junior reserve Pompey Festejo (6-0, 215) leads the corps and is tied for fourth on the team with 28 tackles.

Defensive Backs
Edge: Spartans
Last week was big for junior corner Desia Dunn (5-9, 190), who earned WAC defensive player of the week honors after recording 10 tackles, two pass breakups and forcing a fumble at Hawaii – a special performance by a former walk-on who displayed blanket coverage against one of the WAC’s best passing teams after getting beat by some of the best receivers on the Bulldogs’ schedule in previous games. Just as notable as Dunn’s performance was senior strong safety Moses Harris (5-11, 205) with his interception in the end zone that flip-flopped a Hawaii drive in the first quarter. It was Harris’ second career pick, and remains one of only three this year for the Bulldogs. If Fresno State can force some turnovers for a second straight game it’ll be time to start getting excited.

Those freakishly good Spartans corners of recent years (most notably Dwight Lowery and Christopher Owens) are finally gone. But junior safety Duke Ihenacho (6-1, 210), brother of Carl, remains. This half of the Inhenacho brothers is second on the team with 37 tackles and has a Spartans-high five breakups, as well as a pick. The surprise has been the emergence of sophomore safety Tanner Burns (6-1, 185), son of defensive coordinator Keith Burns, who had Pat Hill fired up with his sideline antics in last year’s meeting. Burns leads the Spartans with 47 tackles and is tied with sophomore corner Peyton Thompson (5-11, 180) for a team-high two interceptions. Burns has also forced four fumbles.

Special Teams
Edge: Bulldogs
The Bulldogs got a little moxie back at Hawaii, when offensive guard Andrew Jackson (6-5, 295) blocked a field goal on the opening drive and Jacobs returned it inside the 10-yard line. Then, out of the Bulldogs’ new shield punt protection, sophomore long snapper Bobby Shepard (6-2, 235) ran downfield and recovered a fumble on a botched catch by the return man. Now if Fresno State could just get its own return men going as they usually do. Senior corner A.J. Jefferson (6-0, 190) was an All-America candidate who led the nation in kick returns his sophomore year. But he’s averaging just 23.7 yards on 12 tries this season, with a long of 34 – nowhere near the Jefferson fans have grown accustomed to.

The Spartans have been even less impressive in the return game. After Rutley led freshmen in returns last year, he averages just 19.6 yards, and Jurovich just 3.2 yards on punt returns. Senior punter Philip Zavala (6-1, 200) has gotten an insane amount of work with 36 punts this year for a 42.6 yard average. Comparatively, Fresno State’s senior punter Robert Malone (6-2, 225) has punted just 14 times for a 45.9-yard average. Spartans sophomore kicker Tyler Cope (6-1, 180) is 3 of 4 on field goals with a long of 41.

Coaching
Edge: Bulldogs
Fresno State’s Pat Hill was an assistant under San Jose State’s Dick Tomey when Tomey was excelling as the leader of Arizona in its glory days. There’s a great respect between the two coaches, but there’s no denying Hill’s been more successful in their current roles – despite what these skewed San Jose State stats from a recent news release claim. Fresno State has won 14 of the past 15 games against hated rival San Jose State in the past two decades, though the one Spartans win came under Tomey in 2006 – in a season the Bulldogs recorded their worst record (4-8) since joining Division I-A. But Tomey is just 1-3 against the Bulldogs since taking the helm.
Intangibles
Edge: Bulldogs
Dating back to the Spartans’ dominant days of the late 1980s, Fresno State still owns an 11-2 all-time record against San Jose State at Bulldog Stadium. Under Hill, the ‘Dogs are 6-0 at home against the Spartans, averaging 40.5 points and a 28-poin margin of victory. This rivalry is historically as fierce as any in the programs’ history but has lost some of its fervor in the past decade.

***Photo courtesy of Juan Villa.

Ya gotta ask some questions...

As much as I love Pat Hill, and have always supported him 100% and trusted him, that final drive in regulation has to be questioned. Three straight power runs up the gut when Hawaii has 10 guys in the box? It didn't work the first two tries, so why do it on third down?

Sure, it allowed the clock to keep running, but show some confidence in an offense that had just dumped buckets of yardage on Hawaii all night. Even if Tom Brandstater threw another interception on that third down play, it wouldn't have done any more harm that letting a field goal get blocked -- which is exactly what happened when Hill sent Kevin Goessling and the kicking team out to give the 'Dogs the lead.

At some point, Hill, you've got to be the aggressor. Otherwise, you end up in close games against bad teams -- Hawaii, UCLA, Rutgers. It's getting old fast. As Fresno State fans, those of us doing our jobs are pouring our hearts and souls into every game giving a fanatical yelling effort every single play of every game. And to have upsets at home to our rivals every year...?

C'mon Hill, you're probably the best thing to ever happen to Fresno State football, but don't be too proud to make necessary adjustments to your philosophy. Coaching is a chess match right? And we had bigger weapons and more pieces than Hawaii last night, but still let them win because they knew what move was coming next.

Game Preview: Fresno State (4-2, 3-0) vs. San Jose State (3-4, 1-2)

Quarterbacks
Right now, Fresno State junior Tom Brandstater (6-5, 220) is doing everything he needs to to get the job done. He’s not putting up huge passing numbers, but he’s efficient, completing 60% of his passes for 1,116 yards, 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

On the other hand, San Jose State’s Adam Tafralis (6-2, 219) has to air it out to give the Spartans the best chance to win. He’s completed 65.7% of his throws for 1,663 yards, 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Tafralis threw 3 picks in last week’s soggy 42-35 overtime loss to Hawaii. Backups junior Jordan LaSecla (6-3, 198), Sean Flynn (6-4, 220) and sophomore Myles Eden (6-0, 182) have each seen action in multiple games this season.
Edge: Spartans

Running Backs
Sophomore Lonyae Miller (5-11, 215) and true freshman Ryan Mathews (5-11, 205) are getting scarier and scarier for opposing teams each week. Miller led the Bulldogs with 18 carries for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns at Idaho last week, while Mathews added 67 yards and two more scores. On the year, Mathews leads the team with 452 yards and 7 touchdowns, while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Miller has 360 yards and 5 touchdowns with 4.4 yards per carry. And don’t forget the most versatile weapon of them all Clifton Smith, who has 168 yards and 3 scores on the ground (6 yards per carry) with 177 yards receiving (11.1 per catch). Coach Pat Hill said on his weekly radio show that fullback Nate Adams (5-11, 240) was the offensive MVP against Idaho without ever touching the ball. And watch for sophomore tailback Anthony Harding (6-0, 215), who has 113 yards and 2 scores, to see more time at fullback this week because of a loaded backfield.

The Bulldogs’ strength is the Spartans’ weakness. The running game has been sad at best, with San Jose State averaging 2 yards per carry as a team with Yonus Davis, who rushed for 1,007 yards in 2006, and Patrick Perry out with injuries. Jacob French (5-10, 205) leads the team with 132 yards on 45 carries and James T. Callier (6-0, 220) has 131 yards and 3 touchdowns on 52 attempts.
Edge: Bulldogs

Receivers
Junior tight end Bear Pascoe (6-5, 260) was back in the mix at Idaho with 6 catches for 69 yards. Pascoe leads the team with 24 receptions for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns. Sophomore Marlon Moore (6-1, 185), who’s been out with injury for the past 2 ½ games but returned to practice, will be a big boost if he can return this week. He remains second on the team with 193 yards.Sophomore Seyi Ajirotutu (6-3, 205) has quietly developed into the team’s deep threat with 9 catches for 174 yards (19.3 yards per grab). And sophomore Jason Crawley (6-1, 185) is the possession receiver with 14 catches for 108 yards and is the only Bulldogs’ wideout with a touchdown.

The Spartans have plenty of guys racking up stats, with three receivers with as many or more receptions as Fresno State’s leader. Junior Kevin Jurovich, who had 117 yards against Hawaii, leads the team with 44 catches for 638 yards and 5 scores. JC junior transfer David Richmond (6-4, 200) has 34 grabs for 472 yards and 3 touchdowns, and running back French has 24 catches for 216 yards and a score. Big sophomore Jalal Beauchman (6-4, 220) has 122 yards on 18 receptions.
Edge: Spartans

Offensive Line
Fresno State had a shaky start with injuries to All-WAC Cole Popovich and Adam McDowell (season). They’re still out, but the line has solidified with redshirt freshmen Joe Bernardi (6-3, 280) and Andrew Jackson (6-5, 290) stepping in. The way Ryan Wendell (6-2, 285) has played since sliding over from center to left guard, he might be the WAC’s best up front. The team has given up just one sack in the past two games and plowed the way for a team average of 4.6 yards per carry.

San Jose State’s line is filled with youth, with three true freshmen starting in left tackle Fred Koloto (6-3, 290), left guard Isaac Leatiota (6-4, 295) and right guard Moa Ngatuvai (6-2, 303). The team has given up 13 sacks this year – one more than Fresno State gave up all of last season.
Edge: Bulldogs

Defensive Line
NFL-bound tackle Jason Shirley remains suspended indefinitely, but end Tyler Clutts (6-2, 245) and junior tackle Jon Monga (6-2, 280) should have their way with the Spartans’ inexperienced line. Clutts and Monga are tied for the WAC lead with 5 sacks apiece. Charles Tolbert (5-11, 265) had 5 tackles (1 for loss) and a forced fumble last week.

Though listed as a reserve, sophomore end Carl Ihenacho (6-3, 245) leads the team with 4 sacks and 5 tackles for losses. Junior end Jarron Gilbert (6-6, 280) has 22 tackles (4 for losses) with 2 sacks. If this group can’t stop the run up front, the Spartans could be in trouble.
Edge: Bulldogs

Linebackers
The Marcus Riley and Ben Jacobs show continues in Fresno State’s bend-but-don’t-break defense that is allowing teams to score red zone touchdowns just 50% of the time (13 of 26). Riley (6-2, 220) is making a case for WAC defensive player of the year with a team-high 58 tackles (7 for losses) and 2 forced fumbles. Redshirt freshman Jacobs (6-3, 225) is second with 48 tackles (3 for losses). Sophomore Quaadir Brown (6-2, 215) is the fastest of the group and capable of being the impact player any given day.

Matt Castelo (5-10, 228) is the leader of the defense with a team-high 71 tackles (7.5 for losses) and an interception. Demetrius Jones (6-1, 230) is second with 67 tackles. Expect these two guys to be helping to stack the box against Fresno State’s run on Saturday.
Edge: Bulldogs

Defensive Backs
The Bulldogs remain the only team in the country without an interception. But so far this year, they’ve given up very few big-play passes, holding opponents to 184.8 yards per game. The ‘Dogs know they can rely on a couple of safeties to deliver big hits in sophomore Moses Harris (6-1, 200) and redshirt freshman Lorne Bell (5-10, 195).

The strength of the Spartans’ defense lies here. Junior corner Christopher Owens (5-10, 170) leads the team with 4 interceptions and is third with 52 tackles. All-WAC corner Dwight Lowery (6-1, 185) has 3 picks after finishing with 9 last season. Junior safety Jonathan Harris (6-0, 190) also has 3 picks, after swiping 2 against Hawaii.
Edge: Spartans

Special Teams
Spartans coach Dick Tomey calls this the strength of Fresno State’s team. Kicker Clint Stitser finally put together a solid 3 for 4 performance in Idaho and Kyle Zimmerman averages 41.5 yards per punt. But the biggest threat might be sophomore corner A.J. Jefferson (5-11, 180), who leads the nation with 33.3 yards per kick return. And don’t forget about Clifton Smith, one of the nation’s most dangerous punt returners. And don’t forget the ‘Dogs are one of the best kick-blocking teams in the country, as usual, with three this season.

San Jose State has struggled mightily in the kicking game, Jared Strubeck is 2 for 9 on field goals and Will Johnson is 0 for 1. Punter Waylon Prather averages 39.3 yards. Dwight Lowery is dangerous on punts, averaging 16.2 yards per return – with an 84-yard touchdown return.
Edge: Bulldogs

Coaching
It’s too close to call here. Pat Hill has established Fresno State as one of the most powerful non-BCS conference programs around, and looks to have the ‘Dogs headed in the right direction after last season’s stunning 4-8 record. The ‘Dogs have already matched that win total this year. But San Jose State’s Dick Tomey, who once had Hill and Bulldogs special teams coach John Baxter on his staff at Arizona, is a longtime proven winner. He came in last season to breathe life into a downward spiraling San Jose State team that was once proud.
Edge: Even

Intangibles
The Bulldogs have played just two home games all season and are hungry to see the Red Wave. San Jose State hasn’t won at Bulldog Stadium since 1991 (losing in the past seven meetings in Fresno). The Spartans’ win last season was their first in 13 tries against the Bulldogs.
Edge: Bulldogs