Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

Scouting San Jose State

FACTS AND FIGURES

Where: San Jose, Calif. (population: 948,279)

Founded: 1857

Enrollment: 32,746

Colors: Gold, white and blue

Nickname: Spartans

Record: 1-5 overall, 0-2 WAC

Last game: Lost at Fresno State, 41-21, on Oct. 17

Next game: vs. Nevada, Nov. 8 (ESPN)

COACH

Dick Tomey is 24-30 in five seasons at San Jose State, including nine wins and a New Mexico Bowl title in 2006. In fact, it looked like he had turned around the program until late last season.

The Spartans were 9-4 in 2006, 5-7 in 2007 and off to a 5-2 start in 2008. Since then, they are 2-9 - the kind of performance that was the norm at San Jose State before Tomey arrived.

Tomey is 182-140-7 in 29 years as a head coach. He spent 10 years at Hawaii and 14 years at Arizona.

OFFENSE

The same problem has plagued the Spartans for two-plus years - an inability to run the ball effectively. They have averaged fewer than 90 rushing yards per game since 2006, when they used a ball-control offense. The Spartans also have an inexperienced quarterback, Jordan La Secla, who is learning on the fly. He has a couple of talented receivers, though, in Kevin Jurovich and Marquis Avery.

DEFENSE

San Jose State was allowing 86.7 rushing yards per game going into the Boise State contest last year. Since then, the Spartans have allowed 240.8 yards per game in an 11-game span - a stunning turnaround that nobody seems able to explain.

The Spartans are the WAC's best at forcing turnovers (15 in six games). End Carl Ihenacho (three sacks), linebacker Justin Cole (interception for TD vs. BSU last year) and safety Tanner Burns (four forced fumbles, two interceptions) are playmakers.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The punt and kickoff teams have allowed a touchdown return this season. Kicker Tyler Cope is inconsistent.

DID YOU KNOW?

Every FBS team San Jose State has played this year appears bowl-bound - USC, Utah, Stanford, Idaho and Fresno State.

Chadd Cripe