Return to Hawaii is all business for the Spartans
For the third year in a row, the San Jose State football team gets to travel to Honolulu.
Don’t expect any sightseeing for the Spartans (11), who in 2020 were forced to turn a home contest into a road affair due to COVID-19 restrictions in the Bay Area.
“It looked like a ghost town,” San Jose State coach Brent Brennan said. “It was the strangest time to be there because we were in the middle of COVID and there was literally nobody there. So it was just really an interesting time. But for whatever reason, every time we play Hawai’i it’s an epic game, it’s hard-fought, I think both teams have a healthy respect for each other.”
Due to another coronavirus surge in Hawaii, no fans will be allowed at the on-campus Clarence T.C. Ching Complex for a 9:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday.
It’s the third Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy game, with the teams splitting the previous two matchups. San Jose State prevailed last year 35-24 at Aloha Stadium.
As the reigning Mountain West champion, here are five stories to watch for in San Jose State’s matchup against the Rainbow Warriors (1-2): KEEP THE POCKET CLEAN >> The Spartans are one of four FBS teams that have not allowed a sack through Sept. 11, with the rest of the list including Buffalo, Southern Methodist and Boston College.
Brennan credits the quick release and decision-making of quarterback Nick Starkel, plus the efficiency of the offensive line.
“I think those two things go hand in hand,” Brennan said. “Our ability to protect and our ability to deliver the football timely.”
San Jose State is averaging 17.1 yards per completion, displaying a big-play approach.
“I think that is part of who we’ve been and who we want to be,” Brennan said. PAC-12 CONNECTION >> Hawai’i coach Todd Graham is no stranger to Brennan, who stood across the sidelines when Graham headed up Arizona State’s program and Brennan was an assistant at Oregon State.
Brennan is in his fifth year leading the Spartans, while Graham is only beginning to define his program.
“They’re taking on his personality a little bit,” Brennan said. “He’s always found a way to get pressure on the quarterback, to confuse the quarterback and to really be sound against the run.”
WHO TO WATCH FOR? >> Through three games, Hawai’i quarterback Chevan Cordeiro is averaging 297 yards per game with six touchdowns and five interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior has also rushed for 125 yards.
“I think we need to do a good job of containing Cordeiro,” Brennan said. “He’s a fantastic player. They have a lot of playmakers on offense, but I think it all starts with him. He’s got great ability to escape, he throws the ball well on the run, he’s an accurate thrower. So I think it starts with him.”
One of Cordeiro’s favorite targets is Calvin Turner, who has 17 catches for 238 yards and a touchdown.
AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES
The Spartans have yet to force a turnover in two games, while losing a fumble for the first time since 2019 and tossing a trio of interceptions — including a pair of pick-sixes.
But most concerning are the 21 penalties for 184 yards that at times have been costly.
“For me, if they are football plays — competing, playing hard, playing for the guy next to you, if we get called for a hold for an effort thing — I can live with those,” Brennan said. “The penalties that we’re working on eliminating are the presnap penalties, where that’s a procedure or an offsides by a defender or anything extra after the play.”
Rust might be an issue considering the Spartans last played Sept. 4 — a 30-7 loss at USC.
KEEP PACE >> Brennan lost on first three tries against the Rainbow Warriors before breaking through last season.
2017: 37-26
2018: 44-41
2019: 42-40
The winning team in all of Brennan’s matchups with Hawai’i has scored at least 35 points. The original edition of the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy game in 2019 took five overtimes, so fans may have to stay up well past midnight for the finish.