Tag: San Jose State

San Jose State suffers fourth straight loss 76-74 to Central Michigan in third game of the Junkanoo Jam

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose State Spartans had hoped to snap a three-game losing skid, but that never happened in Sunday’s game against the Central Michigan Chippewas inside the Gateway Christian Academy in Bimini, The Bahamas.

Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau decided on a starting lineup, which consisted of Michael Steadman, Brae Ivey, Oumar Barry, Noah Baumann, and Craig LeCesne. The Spartans won the tipoff and Barry sinked the first bucket of the game. The Spartans and Chippewas were underway in Bimini, and the Spartans were off to a pretty good start.

At the first media timeout, SJSU led Central Michigan 10-9. But then, it was a one-point game with 7:24 left to go in the first half. The Spartans trailed the Chippewas 22-21, and at the time, LeCesne led the Spartans with 8 points. Fast forward to the final minutes of the half, where the Spartans were 5-for-9 from downtown and held onto a 37-33 lead with 48 seconds left in the half.

The Spartans were on top of the Chippewas 39-35 at the half. LeCesne led 11 points and 3 rebounds. Steadman came in second with 10 points. Moreover, SJSU shot 58.3% (14-for-24) from the floor.

SJSU, however, slipped a bit early in the second half. The Spartans trailed 48-46 at the 14:55 mark, but let’s take a look at the bright side, as Baumann was 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. The Spartans continued to trail the Chippewas, but they turned things around at the 12-minute mark, as they took a 53-50 lead on a 3-pointer by Zach Chappell.

Then, the knight appeared from downtown, as Seneca Knight drained a three from the corner and the Spartans took a 10-point lead, 60-50, midway through the half.

The Spartans held onto a 63-55 lead with 7:35 left in the half. That, my friends, was the positive effect, as the Spartans were 10-for-20 from the 3-point range.

Fans were on the edge of their seats, as they were gearing up for an exciting finish to the game. The Spartans led 67-64 with 3:27 left to play in the half.

The Chippewas, however, refused to back down. CMU took a 74-73 lead with 16 seconds left to play in the half. Not only that, CMU hit a floater to extend its lead to 76-74 with 3 seconds left on the clock. The Spartans fell to the Chippewas 76-74 in the third and final game of the Junkanoo Jam.

The Spartans return home to welcome the Santa Clara Broncos on Saturday, November 24 at 3:00 pm PT.

Three takeaways from San Jose State’s 21-12 loss to Nevada on Senior Day

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State Spartans were fired up for Senior Day on Saturday afternoon versus the Nevada Wolf Pack inside CEFCU Stadium. Unfortunately, things weren’t that great, and Spartans head coach Brent Brennan was unable to let this year’s seniors leave the game with a win.

Here are my three takeaways from SJSU’s 21-12 loss to Nevada.

Missing you
The Spartans got on the board first, thanks to five-year quarterback Michael Carillo’s one-yard touchdown pass to Josh Oliver, who ran for the opening touchdown. But senior kicker Bryce Crawford’s extra point attempt failed, so the Spartans settled for an early 6-0 lead to start the game.

Fast forward to the third quarter, where the Spartans made an effort to cut the Wolf Pack’s lead to 14-12. Carrillo threw yet another touchdown pass, a 22-yarder, to senior running back DeJon Packer for the touchdown. But the Spartans’ two-point conversion attempt failed, so there’s that too.

Needless to say, SJSU has failed at two extra point opportunities to cap off their touchdowns, so that’s something that the Spartan coaching staff needs to address to the Spartan players.

For the first time
If there’s anything the Spartans could look back upon to crack a smile, it’d be the superb moment when Christian Johnson picked up the fumble recovery in the second quarter for the first of his career.

Johnson is far from a household name, but he drew some attention to his name Saturday. That’s a good start for the sophomore defensive end, who has been competing for playing time on the Spartan defensive line thus far.

Keep up the good work, Johnson!

West Coast
The Spartans lost to the Wolf Pack in their final home game of the season, but the Senior Day has showcased this year’s seniors, including senior tight end Josh Oliver, who’s a versatile tight end who gives the Spartans a target on pass plays. Oliver also proved to be a capable blocker.

Before the game, no tight end in the nation has risen higher than Oliver, a Paso Robles, Calif. native, per Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy.

Nagy added that it seems like most, if not all, West Coast agents are on Oliver at the moment.

San Jose State drops a heartbreaker to CSU Bakersfield 73-72 in second game of the Junkanoo Jam

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose State Spartans were back at it on Saturday versus the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners inside the Gateway Christian Academy in Bimini, The Bahamas.

Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau revealed a new-look lineup featuring Michael Steadman, Isaiah Nichols, Oumar Barry, Noah Baumann, and Craig LeCesne. The lineup was nothing short of fresh, but not the surefire answer.

The Spartans won the tip, and the game was underway in Bimini. SJSU did a great job of moving the ball and recorded eight points in the paint early in the first half.

The Roadrunners, however, heated up and buried five straight from beyond the arc to snatch a 26-21 lead with 8:47 left in the first. At the final media timeout of the first, CSU Bakersfield held a 35-32 lead. Moreover, SJSU had some things to be proud of, like, say, Brae Ivey leading the Spartans with 10 points.

The Roadrunners made it a close game with a three-pointer at the buzzer to surprise the Spartans. SJSU trailed CSU Bakersfield by only one point, 38-37, at the end of the first.

Ivey got things started in the second half. Ivey buried an open three to help the Spartans take a one-point lead, 42-41, just a little under the 16-minute mark of the second. Then, Baumann turned out to be “Big Game Baumann” as he got hot with his third three of the game to extend the Spartans’ lead to 50-43 at the 12-minute mark in the second. Baumann also made a pass to Nichols, who laid it in and drew the foul. The Spartans had a seven-point lead, 58-51, with seven minutes to play.

At the final media timeout of the second, the Spartans had a 10-point lead, 63-53, with 3:46 to play. However, the Roadrunners went on a 8-0 run to reduce SJSU’s lead to 63-61 with 2:30 to play. The Spartans’ response? Ivey buried all three of his free throws to tie the game 69-69 with 30 seconds to play.

Baumann hit the equalizing three, but it went out of bounds and the Spartans trailed the Roadrunners by three, 72-69, with 10.7 left to play. CSU Bakersfield held on for the win, and SJSU dropped a heartbreaker 73-72.

The Spartans have to move on to the next and final game of the Junkanoo Jam, which is set for Sunday versus the Central Michigan Chippewas at 3:00 pm PT.

San Jose State falls short in opening round of the Junkanoo Jam, 85-77, to Weber State

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By: Ana Kieu

San Jose State men’s basketball was wheels up for Bimini, The Bahamas, but there was trouble in paradise on Thursday night. Despite a big second half comeback, the Spartans fell short in a 85-77 loss to Weber State in the opening round of the Junkanoo Jam.

The Spartans’ starting lineup consisted of Michael Steadman, Brae Ivey, Zach Chappell, Oumar Barry and Seneca Knight. The lineup was legit, but the Spartans trailed the Wildcats 15-7 at a timeout just under 12 minutes left in the first half.

If there was anything to be positive about in the first, the Spartans tried their best to get back into the game. Chappell hit a three-pointer to cut the Wildcats’ lead to seven, 20-13, just seconds before the media timeout. Moreover, Christian Anigwe led the Spartans with six points at the time.

At the final media timeout of the first, Anigwe and Steadman combined for 11 rebounds and 14 of the Spartans’ 23 points. The Spartans trailed the Wildcats 38-23, which was out of reach to say the least.

The Spartans were down 45-29 at the end of the first. Anigwe had six points and seven rebounds, while Steadman had eight points and five rebounds. The Spartans pulled down 13 offensive rebounds, but found very little success from the floor.

The second half wasn’t much better for the Spartans. But Steadman reached double figures for the second time of his early career at San Jose State with 12 points and seven boards. Steadman was a bright spot on the Spartan roster.

The Spartans were a new-look squad late in the second as they shot 59.3% from the floor and went on a 10-0 run to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 76-69 with 4:31 left in regulation,

It was a six-point ballgame with just under a minute left on the clock. The Spartans trailed the Wildcats by six, 80-74, and Anigwe recorded his first double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

The Spartans used a big second half to make a comeback bid, but they fell short in a 85-77 loss to the Wildcats inside the Gateway Christian Academy.

The Spartans return home to host the Santa Clara Broncos on Saturday, November 24 at 3:00 pm PT.

San Jose State men’s basketball heads to the Bahamas for Bimini Jam

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By: Ana Kieu

As you may already know, San Jose State men’s basketball is looking to avoid a two-game losing streak in their next game against Weber State on Thursday. SJSU is set to take part in the Junkanoo Jam in Bimini, The Bahamas from Nov. 15-18. The round robin tournament will feature SJSU, Weber State, CSU Bakersfield and Central Michigan. Live video will be provided by FloSports and is available to stream online via a paid subscription.

Game #3
Weber State vs. SJSU
Thursday Nov. 15, 5:30 pm PT
Gateway Christian Academy
Bimini, The Bahamas

Game #4
SJSU vs. TBD
TBD
Gateway Christian Academy
Bimini, The Bahamas

Game #5
SJSU vs. TBD
TBD
Gateway Christian Academy
Bimini, The Bahamas

Newcomers
A total of nine newcomers made their SJSU debuts in the sin over Life Pacific. Guards Brae Ivey, Seneca Knight and Zach Chappell along with forward Michael Steadman all started for the first time at the D1 level.

On the boards
The Spartans currently sit in fourth in the Mountain West rankings with 83 total rebounds this season. Their 14.0 offensive boards ranks second in the conference.

Steady Steadman
JUCO transfer Michael Steadman is off to a hot start at his new home at SJSU. He currently ranks 11th nationally in total rebounds (27), eighth in defensive rebounds per game (10.0) and eighth in total rebounds per game (13.5).

Full Offseason for Prioleau
Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau is entering his second season at the helm of SJSU men’s basketball and is coming off his first full offseason with the program. He was hired on August 4, 2017, and given just three months to prepare for his debut season. Now with a full offseason under his belt to prepare the team, he and his staff are excited about the Spartans’ potential.

Staff Shakeup 
Prioleau made some changes to his staff in the offseason as he brought in former NC State All-American Julius Hodge as an assistant coach. He also promoted director of basketball operations, Ryan Cooper, to assistant coach.

Meet the Opponents
Weber State is 1-1 this season and are coming off a 123-53 win over Bethesda. They are led by Randy Rahe in his 13th season.

CSU Bakersfield nearly pulled off a big upset in their season opener vs. No. 20 TCU, but ultimately fell 66-61. They bounced back vs. Antelope Valley in an 111-75 win to move to 1-1 on the season. The Roadrunners are led by eighth-year head coach Rod Barnes.

Central Michigan is 2-0 following 98-67 and 101-60 wins over Concordia (Mich.) and Chicago State, respectively. They are led by Keno Davis in his seventh year at the helm.

SJSU in Regular Season Tournaments
The Junkanoo Jam will be the first in-season tournament for the Spartans since the 2015-16 season when they took part in the GCI Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage. They finished fifth.

Additionally, this will be the first time the Spartans have ever played regular-season games outside of the United States in program history.

San Jose State podcast with Ana Kieu: Both football and men’s basketball teams lost to Utah-based teams last Saturday

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB and @SJSUMBB

On the San Jose State podcast with Ana:

1. It’s time for some football. San Jose State took an early lead and put on somewhat of a show in Logan, Utah last Saturday, but suffered a brutal 62-24 loss to the Utah State Aggies. The Aggies were ranked #14/#16 at the time, but now they’re ranked #23. Are the Aggies the real deal or are the Spartans just really bad?

2. It’s time to talk men’s basketball. San Jose State dropped a heartbreaker to Southern Utah 66-59 inside the Event Center last Saturday. I know you predicted the Spartans would win 10 games under second-year head coach Jean Prioleau, but have your thoughts changed? Also, what do the Spartans need to do in order to get a win over the Weber State Wildcats in the Bahamas on Thursday?

3. Let’s take a look at a bright spot in San Jose State Athletics. In women’s soccer, San Jose State made it all the way to the NCAA Tournament, but got shutout by the UCLA Bruins in L.A. last Friday. Not the result the girls had hoped for, but they should be proud of themselves nevertheless.

Ana does the San Jose State podcasts each week for SportsRadioService.com

San Jose State closes out home football schedule on Senior Day Saturday

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Saturday afternoon is going to be a special day for 15 San Jose State football seniors who will be honored in the pregame ceremonies at CEFCU stadium before the 2:00 pm PT kickoff versus Nevada. The Wolf Pack is a high scoring team, so it’ll likely be a challenge for the Spartans; but it’ll be a special day nonetheless.

Anyways, here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s game.

Basics
San Jose State vs. Nevada
Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018,
CEFCU Stadium
San Jose, Calif., 2:00 pm PT
ESPN3

San Jose State’s record
1-9, 1-5 Mountain West. Most recently, the Spartans lost at Utah State, 62-24, on Nov. 10.

Nevada’s record
6-4, 4-2 Mountain West. The Wolf Pack won their third consecutive game, 49-10, over Colorado State on Nov. 10.

How to get tickets?
• sjsuspartans.com/tickets • ticketmaster.com

Athletics Ticket Office, 1393 S. 7th Street, San Jose, CA 95112, weekdays, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

For home games at CEFCU Stadium:
• New modern family plan
• Spartan alumni season ticket pricing in a distinct seating section

Series history
Nevada leads the series, 20-9-2, dating back to 1899. The Wolf Pack have wins in the last eight of the last nine meetings between these teams including a 59-14 victory in Reno a year ago.

The Spartans’ last win in the series was a 14-10 decision at home in 2016.

For 15 years, these teams held the NCAA FBS single-game record for total yards in a game by both teams (1,640). San Jose State out-gained Nevada, 849 to 791, in a 64-45 victory in San Jose on Nov. 10, 2001.

Radio
KLIV (1590 AM, San Jose) originates San Jose State football broadcasts. Justin Allegri calls the play-by-play. Kevin Richardson provides commentary. The Nevada broadcast begins at 1:30 pm PT with a pregame show.

San Jose State’s network affiliate is KION (1460 AM/101.1 FM, Salinas).

KSJS (90.5 FM, San Jose) also will broadcast the San Jose State-Nevada game starting at 1:45 pm PT.

Television
ESPN3 will provide play-by-play coverage of the San Jose State vs. Nevada game. Trey Bender calls the play-by-play. Al Groh offers analysis. The live telecast is scheduled for 2:00 pm PT.

Final home game for Spartan seniors
San Jose State will be recognizing 15 seniors in pregame ceremonies.

2018 schedule rated as one of the toughest
According to the NCAA Statistics Service for games played through Nov. 10, San Jose State’s first 10 opponents compiled a .593 winning percentage, tied for 34th best among FBS schools and tops along with Wyoming among the 12 Mountain West members.

Incorporating the current records of the Spartans’ final two opponents, Nevada and Fresno State, San Jose State’s schedule is tied for he 17th most challenging based on opponent winning percentage (.613). No other Mountain West school is in the top 50.

Tre Walker produces 2018 Mountain West best
Wide receiver Tre Walker produced the Mountain West’s first 200-plus yard receiving game of the 2018 season with his seven receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns at Utah State on Nov. 10.

Walker’s 209 receiving yards are tied for 16th best nationally this season in games played through November 10. Prior to his breakout game, the Mountain West best was 188 yards by Colorado State’s Preston Williams in the Aug. 25 game at Hawaii.

Walker also became the first San Jose State player in 11 years to gain at least 200 yards in pass receiving in a game. The last time it was done was Kevin Jurovich’s 233 receiving yards in a 2007 game vs. New Mexico State.

Justin Holmes becomes the 29th
Senior Justin Holmes became the 29th San Jose State player to catch 100 passes in a career with his one reception at Utah State.

Seniors Tre Harley (97) and Josh Oliver (93) are next in line to the 100-career reception plateau.

A punt return for a touchdown
Freshman Tre Jenkins scored San Jose State’s first punt return touchdown in the Utah State game on a 41-yard return. Jenkins’ run back for a score was the first by a Spartan since Tyler Ervin’s 85-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 2015 AutoNation Cure Bowl.

What’s new with the San Jose State football team?

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — It was sort of expected, but I have to reiterate the unfortunate fact the Spartans got on the board first and then tied the score 10-10 before the Aggies took complete control of the game for a 62-24 blowout at the Maverick Stadium in Logan, Utah this past Saturday.

Fast forward to Monday afternoon. Spartans head coach Brent Brennan delivered his weekly press conference inside Simpkins Stadium Center in San Jose, Calif.

Here’s my Q&A with Brennan:

1. Utah State seemed to take advantage of most, if not all, of San Jose State’s mistakes. A lot of people know the Aggies have a good offense, but what are a few things about Jordan Love and company that they don’t know?
I think their running backs have played well. I didn’t know how good they were until I saw them in person. Even though they’re not very big, they’re incredibly powerful and hard to bring down. I thought they did a really good job breaking tackles.

The other thing that’s hard to see if you’ve watched the game on TV is the type of temperament that they played with. To me, it reminds me of when I was coaching at Oregon State, we were playing Oregon, Marcus (Mariota) and those guys and how fast they were on every snap.

2. San Jose State had their fare share of big plays and Tre Walker had himself a day, but what could you and the other coaches do during practice to make sure that pass plays lead to scores?
I think there’s just a consistency there. On Saturday, we dropped too many passes, and I thought there were a couple of breakdowns in protection; but for the most part, the protection was better. But that was just one of the things that I thought were what went wrong with that game. We dropped too many passes and some balls weren’t on the money.

I thought Michael Carrillo went in there and threw the ball well. So I think continuing to kind of to work on those details, just absolutely specific depths on routes, our connection with the football and where the ball placement is by the quarterback are a couple of things we need to know.

3. San Jose State will honor 15 seniors before this Saturday’s kickoff versus Nevada. There’s not much to be proud of in terms of the record, but what are you most proud of when it comes to this group of guys?
What I’m most proud of this group of guys is easy. It’s how they’ve continued to work and push the team, even though we weren’t getting the results on Saturday we wanted.

Since I’ve been here, this current group of seniors has been outstanding in every way–they’re good in the classroom, they work really hard during practice and they lead the team. I’m so appreciative of how hard they’re worked to help us move this program in the direction we want to take it.

I’m disappointed we haven’t gotten the results for them. That really hurts me.

San Jose State drops a 66-59 decision to Southern Utah

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Photo credit: @SJSUMBB

By: Ana Kieu

When it comes to the men’s basketball program, San Jose State was looking to make it two wins in a row at the Event Center on Saturday night versus the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. Unfortunately, the Spartans’ wish didn’t come true, and they dropped a 66-59 decision to the Thunderbirds.

Southern Utah was off to a good start. Andre Adams made a jumper in the paint, Dwayne Morgan made a layup and Adams followed up with another jumper.

San Jose State, however, got themselves back into the game. The Spartans were benefited by Brae Ivey’s jumper in the paint and Zach Chappell’s free throw on the fastbreak. San Jose State held a 21-18 advantage over Southern Utah at the 7-minute mark of the first half. At the time, Seneca Knight led the Spartans with 6 points and Michael Steadman had 5 boards.

The Spartans and Thunderbirds were tied at 31 apiece at the half. Steadman led the Spartans with 8 points and 5 rebounds. Knight had 6 points.

The second half felt and looked ugly for the Spartans. The Spartans trailed the Thunderbirds 37-34 at the 17:12 mark of the half. While the Spartans could’ve bounced back to beat or at least even the score versus the Thunderbirds, that never happened, which left most, if not all, Spartan fans shaking their heads and asking why their team was unable to beat the Thunderbirds.

Despite the tough loss, there were a few positive things to note about the Spartans. Oumar Barry left a lasting memory on the Spartan fans with back-to-back 3-pointers and Craig LeCesne did the same thing to give the Spartans a 40-37 lead at the 16:05 mark of the half. LeCesne then recorded a game-high 11 points–9 in the final 4 minutes–as the Spartans led the Thunderbirds 48-41 at the 12:24 mark of the half.

The Thunderbirds weren’t ready to back down just yet. The Thunderbirds went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 51 apiece with 7:37 left in the half.

At the time of the final media timeout, it was still a tight game and anyone’s game for that matter. The Spartans trailed the Thunderbirds 58-53, but stayed put in a hole that they sort of dug themselves in.

Final: 66 Thunderbirds, 59 Spartans

Notes
San Jose State’s starting lineup: Michael Steadman, Brae Ivey, Zach Chappell, Seneca Knight and Oumar Barry.

Up Next
San Jose State makes a visit to Weber State on Thursday, November 15 at 5:30 pm PT.

Three takeaways from San Jose State’s 62-24 loss at Utah State

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

When it comes to the football program, San Jose State has nothing to play for and nothing to lose, but the team still had a game today. SJSU took on USU in Logan, Utah on Saturday afternoon. Final score? 62-24 USU.

Here are my three takeaways from San Jose State at Utah State.

Walk this way
Okay, there’s not a lot to write about when it comes to SJSU, but sophomore wide receiver Tre Walker was a bright spot on the Spartan roster.

Walker finished the day with 7 catches, 209 yards and 2 touchdowns. You gotta give him credit for making the game a bit more interesting in the third and fourth quarters with his 35-yard passing touchdown from junior quarterback Josh Love and 75-yard passing touchdown from 5th-year quarterback Michael Carrillo, respectively.

Pumped up kicks
You can believe in senior kicker Bryce Crawford to get the job done. He kicked in a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter along with extra points to cap off the touchdowns scored in the first, third and fourth quarters.

Aside from SJSU’s record, it has been a great senior season for Crawford, who ranks in the top 25 nationally in punting average and field goals per game. He’s the only FBS player to rank in the top 30 nationally in field goals made per game and punting average. He has made seven straight field goals and averages 1.4 makes per game. He has also been averaging 43.96 yards per punt.

This house is on fire
Yes, I know this was a home game for USU, but the Aggie offense was sweltering hot.

The No. 14 Aggies entered the game as one of the nation’s best teams at finding the end zone. They trailed just Alabama in scoring offense with 50.1 points per game. They also ranked 14th in total offense with 4,371 yards. In addition, USU ranked second among FBS teams with 19 scoring drives under a minute.

The Aggies were known for piling up points and yards first, and Saturday’s game versus SJSU was no exception.