San Jose State didn’t let pause derail season
Nevens, Robinson lead Spartans to victory over Hawaii, team’s first 5-0 start in 81 years.
San Jose State has had one constant during this roller coaster of a season: winning.
Despite having two games canceled, despite its schedule constantly changing, despite being unable to practice or play at home because of county coronavirus restrictions, San Jose State keeps doing what it does.
Saturday in Honolulu, the Spartans defeated Hawaii 35-24, improving to 5-0 for the first time since 1939.
With one regular-season game left, Friday against Nevada at a site not yet announced, San Jose State is in a prime position to qualify for the Mountain West championship game for the first time in program history.
Here are a few takeaways from the latest win:
HOT START >> No one would’ve been surprised if San Jose State came out slow. In addition to having their previous two games canceled and declared a no-contest because of COVID-19 issues within the Fresno State and Boise State programs, the Spartans had their itinerary shredded when Santa Clara County banned contact sports last week through at least Dec. 21. Plus, an unexpected trip to Hawaii also meant dealing with humidity and heat.
Instead, San Jose State, which was supposed to host the Rainbow Warriors before the new restrictions, started the game about as perfect as possible.
On the Spartans’ first three offensive possessions, they scored touchdowns. Nick Starkel hit Isaiah Holiness in the flat for a twoyard TD to get the scoring started, then Tyler Nevens had scored on the ground from 72 and 10 yards.
San Jose State was just as good on the defensive end, holding Hawaii to three consecutive threeand-outs to start the game. The Spartans held the Rainbow Warriors to 14 total yards in those drives, and quarterback Chevan Cordeiro didn’t complete a single pass.
ROBINSON & NEVENS >> With every subsequent game, San Jose State has run the ball just a little bit better. The improvement came to a crescendo on Saturday as the Spartans logged 288 rushing yards, the most the team has gained in a single game in coach Brent Brennan’s four seasons.
“It was just awesome to see that O-Line come together and Tyler Nevens have a great day and Kairee have a great day and score touchdowns and run for over 100 yards and just our O-Line to feel that, pretty special,” Brennan said.
Nevens and Kairee Robinson, each of whom had career games, were the catalysts. Nevens had 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 72-yard run in the first quarter. Robinson had a career-high 143 all-purpose yards (111 rushing) and a touchdown of his own.
For San Jose State, it was quite the flip in offensive philosophy. Entering Saturday, the Spartans averaged 33.8 passing attempts to 28.0 rushing attempts per game. Against Hawaii, they attempted 46 runs, their most of the season, to 25 passes, their fewest of the season.