FRESNO –– San Jose State coach Brent Brennan didn’t sugarcoat his emotions about dropping to Fresno State, an 8 1/2-point underdog enjoying with out its star quarterback Jake Haener.
“I really feel terrible and disenchanted,” Brennan stated after Saturday evening’s 17-10 loss. “I let our staff down. I let our faculty down. We didn’t play our greatest soccer. It’s disappointing.”
The loss was, certainly, disappointing. The Valley Cup was on the road and SJSU hadn’t gained a recreation in Fresno since 2016. Most significantly, the Spartans (4-2) have been no-shows on offense.
After scoring 107 factors in its earlier three video games, SJSU failed on 11 of 14 third-down performs, punted 9 instances and netted simply 37 speeding yards. Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, back-to-back winner of Mountain West offensive participant of the week honors, handed for 294 yards however accomplished lower than 50 p.c of his passes (22 of 45) and threw his first interception of the season.
Fresno State (2-4) was on a four-game dropping streak, however when Haener returns — he sustained a excessive ankle sprain Sept. 17 towards USC — the Bulldogs may once more be an issue for SJSU. Just like the Spartans, Fresno State has a lightweight schedule forward. The margin for error is slim. This recreation may turn into a tie-breaker for the West Division title.
“This was one of the best staff we performed, and I knew that coming into it, and I’m disenchanted that we didn’t reply higher,” Brennan stated.
However Brennan and his gamers additionally didn’t fail to remind everybody that there's nonetheless loads of life left within the season. SJSU’s remaining six opponents have a mixed file of 13-29.
“We acquired six video games left to play and have an unbelievable alternative to remain within the convention race to have a fantastic season,” Brennan stated. “We have now to be taught from this recreation and discover methods to enhance after which transfer on to this subsequent one.”
“One factor a couple of staff is I do know that we’re going to return to work every day,” stated linebacker Kyle Harmon, whose 9 tackles pushed him previous Christian Tago as No. 5 on the college’s all-time checklist. “We acquired the desire and guys within the locker room to show it round. I’m actually assured in what we have now transferring ahead.”
The Spartans’ possibilities of competing for a Mountain West championship recreation are nonetheless alive and they're additionally simply two wins from changing into bowl-eligible.
There have been some brilliant spots within the loss. SJSU’s sturdy protection continues to be intact. Bryun Parham and Nehemiah Shelton each had interceptions. The Bulldogs solely transformed 3 of 12 third-down conversions.
On offense, Elijah Cooks caught a landing move and surpassed 2,000 profession receiving yards.
SJSU will get its likelihood at redemption subsequent week when it performs at New Mexico State (2-5) subsequent Saturday at 3 p.m. The Aggies gained at house Saturday towards New Mexico 21-9.