Tag: san jose

Couture Hat Trick, Revamped Power Play Key to 5-1 Sharks Win over Sabres

Published on by Matthew Harrington

Photo credit: @EMISports

By Jerry Feitelberg

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Sharks power play clicked in a big way Thursday night, pushing team teal to a 5-1 win over the visiting Buffalo Sabres. Logan Couture scored his third career hat trick, Joe Pavelski picked up a power play strike and Joonas Donskoi also lit the lamp a man up to give the home team a win in the debut of their new Stealth jerseys. Jake McCabe lit the lamp for Buffalo, the only shot out of 25 to beat Sharks netminder Martin Jones.

With early season power play woes leading to a bottom-five power play for the Sharks entering play Thursday, changes were made to the first power play unit. It’s safe to assume assistant coach Steve Spott, power play coach for San Jose, found the right mix.

Kyle Okposo drew a double-minor for high sticking just 1:45 into the game, giving the Sharks their first man advantage. With time expiring on the first minor, Joonas Donskoi potted his second goal of the season 3:35 into the game. Logan Couture fired back rapid fire, beating Buffalo keeper Carton Hutton for his second goal of the campaign just 27 seconds later for a 2-0 Sharks edge and two power play goals on two opportunities.

San Jose didn’t score in the second and Buffalo’s McCabe scooped up a rebound for his first goal of the year 1:35 into the period to cut the Sharks lead to 2-1. The Sharks dominated the third though, with Logan Couture scoring the lone even strength Sharks goal of the game 4:54 into the third for his second of the game.

Joe Pavelski scored San Jose’s third power play goal of the night over a whopping seven opportunities, moving San Jose to 19th in the league with a 17.8 percent success rate. Couture capped the hat trick off with an empty-net goal with 1:47 left in regulation.

Buffalo went 0-for-5 on the power play to cap a great special teams night for the Sharks. Evander Kane and Brent Burns each had a pair of assists. The Sharks welcome another team from the Empire State to the Shark Tank Saturday night. The Islanders come to town after shellacking the Los Angeles Kings Thursday night.

Barracuda shoot down the Roadrunners in 3-2 shootout win

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Alex True was the only one to score in the shootout and that was enough for the San Jose Barracuda (4-0-0-1) as they came back to defeat the Tucson Roadrunners (3-0-0-1) 3-2 in a shootout victory at SAP Center on Monday evening. This is the best start to a season in the Barracuda’s history.

The first period didn’t feature much action as both teams combined for just 15 shots. San Jose had two descent chances to take the lead. Dylan Gambrell, just recalled back from the Sharks, had his short-handed back hand attempt stopped by Roadrunners goalie Hunter Miska (1-0-1) with eight minutes left in the first period. Manny Wiederer had his shot from the slot ring off the post with five minutes remaining in the opening frame.

Gambrell broke the deadlock late in the second period. Nick DeSimone won a battle along the right boards, fed a pass over to Francis Perron who then one-timed a quick pass over to Gambrell skating in from the point and he wired a shot into the left corner of the goal for his third goal of the season at the 14:43 mark.

“I think we were getting kinda too cute at the blue line,” said Gambrell. “We started chipping pucks in (getting them) below the goal line getting stuff to the net. (The goal) shifted the momentum of it.”

Dakota Mermis would get the equalizer for Tucson just under two minutes later when he was able to keep the puck inside the Cuda zone on the left side of the blue line. He then sent in what looked like an innocent looking shot on goal that sneaked past Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau (2-0-1) for his first goal of the season at the 16:15 mark.

Former Cuda forward Adam Helewka, who was sent to the Arizona Coyotes in the June trade for defenseman Kyle Wood, would come back to haunt San Jose when he tipped in a pass by Laurent Dauphin just 51 seconds after Mermis’ goal. Helewka was able to skate in past the Cuda defense and was all alone to tip the puck past Bibeau for his fourth goal of the season at 17:06.

San Jose came back in the third period to tie the game up at 2-2, thanks to a delay of game penalty that sent them on a power play. They would need only nine seconds to convert as Perron rifled a wrist shot from the middle of the slot past Miska into the upper left corner of the goal for his fourth goal of the season at the 12:20 mark. Gambrell and Jeremy Roy received assists.

“It was a scrambling puck, a battle in front of the net,” said Perron. “(There was) a good screen in front of the goalie and I just picked my spot and it went in. It was a huge goal for us.”

Helewka had a breakaway attempt with under three minutes left in the overtime period, but Bibeau stood his ground and made the save on Helewka’s backhander.

San Jose had a glorious chance to end it in overtime. A slashing penalty on Kyle Capobianco with 1:47 left in overtime gave the Cuda a power play to finish out the game. Then Dauphin took a tripping penalty with 41 seconds left to give the Cuda a two-man advantage. However, San Jose was unable to capitalize.

“I think so,” said head coach Roy Sommer when asked if this was the most satisfying win on the season thus far. “When you’re down and you find a way to tie it up and then you win it in overtime, it makes it a little special.”

Both goalies put on a clinic in the shootout. Bibeau, who was perfect in the shootout, finished the game with 31 saves on 33 shots for the victory. Miska had 34 saves on 36 shots in suffering the defeat.

“I was hoping we would score in overtime,” said Bibeau. “I didn’t want a shootout after what happened last game. I was ready and I wanted to be aggressive tonight and dictate their play of their shootout attempt.”

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 1/5 on the power play. Tucson was 0/3.

Cuda defenseman Zach Frye was injured halfway through the second period when a puck hit him in the face. He did not return to the game.

Fisticuffs!
Tucson’s Trevor Cheek took exception to a clean hit by San Jose’s Jeffery Viel and the two had a spirited brawl at center ice with just under three minutes left in the third period.

The announced attendance was 2,095.

UP NEXT: The Cuda travel up to Stockton on Saturday, October 20 to begin a home and home series with the Heat at 6:00 pm PT at Stockton Arena.

Brent Brennan talks San Jose State’s upcoming game at San Diego State

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — As you should already know, San Jose State got pummeled by Army 52-3 in a nationally televised game at Levi’s Stadium last Saturday afternoon. SJSU will hit the road to deal with a tough customer, San Diego State, at SDCCU Stadium this Saturday night at 7:30 pm PT on CBSS.

But, in the meantime, Spartans head coach Brent Brennan held his weekly press conference at Simpkins Stadium Center inside CEFCU Stadium on Monday afternoon. Brennan went over a lot of things with the media, but let’s just go over my Q&A with the second-year head coach.

1. Last week, San Jose State had a great week of practice, but it led to a letdown at Levi’s Stadium, which was disappointing to say the least. How will you, and the rest of the coaching staff, make sure that this week’s practice will be even greater?
That started yesterday. We started at six in the morning and brought everybody back early. It gave us a chance to address the issues that we were dealing with during the game and put that game to bed and turn our attention to San Diego State…They’ve been the top–or one of the top–programs in our conference for a long time and it’s a really good opportunity for us to get a start on them and get ready to go as they’ll present you with lots of different challenges because they’ve been so good and they’re so well-established and that’s why we play–we get a change to play with good people. We’re going to have a great week of practice…We had a great team meeting yesterday so that’ll give us a chance to get our team where we want them to go.

2. The Spartan offensive line has to improve in run blocking and pass protection, but what does the Spartan defense have to do in order to keep the team intact?
I think one of the things that was frustrating was late in that game it seemed like we didn’t tackle as well as we should’ve so obviously that’s a big focus for our staff. Our defensive staff right now has been talking about that. The flip side of that is the big picture as an offense you can’t turn the ball over four times in 10 plays and you can’t give them the ball on their side of the 50-yard line three times. We gave it to them on the 25, 25 and the 42…That’s asking too much of your defense to put them in that spot…We just gotta make sure that we’re tackling and getting everybody to the football.

3. Spartan nation watched a game that they’d rather forget. A couple of fans told me that the Spartans should do less fighting and more coaching and practicing of football. What do you have to say to the fans and the critics in general?
Fighting hasn’t been happening during the practices at all. I’d say that I understand the frustration and I’d hope that they’d understand mine. We’re working really hard to try and get on the right track. The best thing about that I can say is buy a ticket, come to a game, support the kids, take a leap of faith with our program and come support these kids who are working so hard.

Spartan nation, don’t forget that you can call or text (408) 924-7589 for San Jose State tickets. If you’re a San Jose State student, you can visit this link: 

Earthquakes hold their own vs. Cruz Azul in 0-0 draw in friendly

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — In what must have felt like a home game for the visiting Cruz Azul, the Mexican Liga MX team, came into Avaya Stadium with the majority of the fans rooting for them and left with a 0-0 draw over the San Jose Earthquakes in an international friendly at Avaya Stadium on Saturday evening.

In front of a sold-out crowd, Cruz Azul–the current leader atop the standings in the Liga MX–dominated the first half of play as they had two scoring chances hit off the left post in the first 26 minutes of the match. Martin Cauteruccio had the best opportunity for Cruz Azul. San Jose had a tough time stopping Edgar Mendez from creating multiple chances in their defensive zone. Cruz Azul would have six corner kick opportunities in the first half (finishing with nine to the Quakes’ zero) but weren’t able to cash in on any of them.

The Quakes’ only good opportunity to score came in the 41st minute when Eric Calvillo received a pass from Chris Wehan and dribbled inside the d-box from the left point when fired a shot that Cruz Azul goalie Jose De Jesus Corona was able to make a diving save.

“I know I could’ve hit it harder,” said Calvillo. “It’s unfortunate I couldn’t get the goal I’ve dreaming about (my whole life). But I know it’s not going to be my last opportunity and I’m read for more.”

In the second half, Quakes head coach Steve Ralston flipped the lineup over and it seemed to change the momentum of the game as substitutes Danny Hoesen and Tommy Thompson generated chances for the Quakes.

“It’s been a difficult week right? A lot of stuff happening,” said Ralston. “For those guys to come out and play the way they did, I’m really pleased.”

Cruz Azul head coach Pedro Caixinha also flipped over most of his lineup in the second half bringing in the team’s leading scorer Elias Hernandez and former Quake Rafael Baca. Neither put a dent into the box score.

Cruz Azul had two late scoring chances in the final minutes, but both shot attempts sailed wide.

GAME NOTES: The Quakes’ Florian Jungwirth was issued a yellow card in the 67th minute for arguing with the referee.

Cruz Azul’s Antonio Sanchez also received a yellow card at the 76th minute for tripping San Jose’s Dominic Oduro.

Cruz Azul’s Pablo Aguilar received a yellow card in the 76th minute for a hard tackle on Jungwirth.

The Quakes’ overall record in international friendlies is 11-10-10, dating back to 1996. They have an 8-2-6 record in the past 14 friendly matches. However, against the Liga MX teams, they are 1-7-4 in international friendlies.

This was the first match since the Quakes hired Matias Almeyda as their new head coach for the 2019 season. Ralston, will remain in his role as interim head coach for the Quakes’ final two regular season matches.

UP NEXT: The Quakes will host their final regular season game on Sunday, October 21 against the Colorado Rapids at 2:00 pm PT at Avaya Stadium.

Lakers down the Warriors 119-105 to finish the preseason

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Photo credit: @Lakers

By Jerry Feitelberg

SAN JOSE — The Los Angeles Lakers, who were without LeBron James, Brandon Ingram, and Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, rallied in the second half to down the Golden State Warriors 119-105 at SAP Center on Friday night.

The Warriors did not play Kevin Durant or Andre Iguodala. Steph Curry played the first period for Golden State and was done for the night. Klay Thompson did not play in the second half. Draymond Green, who had not played since September 29th, saw 14 minutes of action and scored just one point.

Curry played most of the first quarter and tallied 16 points, including four three-point shots. He looked as if he was in mid-season form. Thompson finished the night with 21, and he looked ready to go. The Warriors won the first half by 13 (67-54). Damian Jones had a good first half as he knocked down 15 and appears to be the starting center for the Warriors until DeMarcus Cousins is ready to play.

The second half belonged to the Lakers. Kyle Kuzma was on fire as he and Svi Mykhailuk led the Lakers to a comeback win as they outscored the Warriors 61-38. The Warriors used Draymond Green in the third quarter and Shaun Livingston in the fourth quarter. The rest of the players were trying to show the Warriors’ coaching staff that they belonged in the NBA. The Warriors will have to make decisions soon on which players will start the season in Oakland and who will be assigned to the G-League.

Game Notes: The Warriors still have not agreed to a contract with Patrick McCaw. McCaw would be starting his third season with the Warriors, and he could help this year’s edition. There are question marks regarding Damian Jones, Jordan Bell, Jacob Evans, Jonas Jerebko, and Marcus Derrickson.

The Big Four consisting of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green are set. Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, Kevon Looney, and Quinn Cook will make up the second unit.

Up Next: The Warriors open the season at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night at 7:30 pm PDT versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. Moreover, the Warriors’ championship banner will be unfurled, and the players will receive their championship rings.

Condors end Barracuda’s win streak with 3-2 shootout win

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Bakersfield Condors (2-1-0-0) received goals from Cooper Marody and Tyler Benson as well as good goaltending from Al Montoya in the shootout to snap the San Jose Barracuda’s (2-0-0-1) two-game winning streak with a 3-2 shootout victory at SAP Center on Wednesday evening.

San Jose would draw first blood early in the first period. Manny Wiederer won a battle just to the right of the goal line. He then fed a pass back up to the point to Keaton Middleton, who fired a shot into a traffic jam in front of the net. Alexander True was in the middle of the scrum where the puck glanced off his stick that rolled past Montoya into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. True’s second goal of the season came at the 4:21 mark.

Evan Polei, who made his season debut for the Condors, evened up the score when he was able to redirect a pass from Josh Currie past Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau. Polei had two point-blank chances stopped by Bibeau a short time earlier, but the third time was a charm, as it led to Polei’s first goal of the season at the 12:36 mark of the first period.

Bakersfield enjoyed a 16-5 shot advantage as San Jose came out flat in the first period, but Bibeau held down the fort and kept the game even at 1-1 heading into the first intermission.

Jayden Halbgewachs would give the Cuda the lead eight seconds into a power play in the second period. Jeremy Roy fired a shot in from the top of the point that was initially saved by Montoya. After whacking at the puck, Halbgewachs was able to collect the rebound and back hand the puck past Montoya for his second goal of the season at the 7:51 mark. Vincent Praplan was credited with the secondary assist.

“We got a young team and we want to play with speed every game,” said Halbgewachs. “That’s a big part of my game, creating offense. If I use my speed, opportunities are going to be there.”

Joe Gambradella gave the Condors the equalizer just seconds after a penalty to Nolan Vesey expired. Gambradella won a battle along the boards near center ice and escaped with the puck skating in all alone against Bibeau and snapped home a wrist shot to the right corner of the goal that beat Bibeau for his first goal of the season at the 7:28 of the third period. Patrick Russel and William Lagesson were both credited with assists.

Halbgewachs had the best chance to end it in overtime. After breaking up a 2-on-1 break by Bakerfield, he skated out of the defensive zone and received a pass that sent him on a breakaway attempt, only to have Montoya out wait him and make the save on his back hand attempt.

“He’s not the biggest guy but he plays on the inside,” said captain John McCarthy about what Halbgewachs brings to the team. “That’s huge especially when you don’t have the size to muscle people around. Like you saw tonight he gets a lot of chances that way.”

The Cuda earned a late power play late in overtime, but weren’t able to capitalize on the abbreviated man advantage.

“We were lucky to get a point tonight,” said head coach Roy Sommer. “A lot of turnovers, (we played) kind of sloppy. They had more jump than we did tonight.”

Montoya (2-0) earned the victory with 23 saves on 25 shots. Bibeau (1-0-1), despite playing a strong game, suffered the loss after making 33 saves on 35 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 1-for-5 on what was an uninspiring power play. Bakersfield went 0-for3.

Fisticuffs! Cuda forward Jeffery Viel exchanged pleasantries with Polei just inside the Condors’ zone at the 15:58 mark of the first period.

The announced attendance was 2,527.

UP NEXT: San Jose will travel up Highway 5 to take on their NorCal rival Stockton Heat on Saturday, October 13 at Stockton Arena at 6:00 pm PT.

Earthquakes hire new head coach Matias Almeyda

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes announced Monday that the club has hired Matias Almeyda as their latest head coach. Almeyda’s a former Argentina National Team midfielder who most recently led Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara to the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League title. Interim head coach Steve Ralston will remain in his position for the final two matches of the 2018 MLS season before Almeyda takes over in 2019.

The assistants on Almedya’s coaching staff will be announced at a later date.

“What we saw in Matias was a coach that brought success by creating a culture we strive to emulate,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “He has demonstrated leadership qualities in Argentina with River Plate and Banfield, as well as in Mexico with Chivas. He has always had a winning mentality, both as a player and a coach, and most importantly, he is someone that knows how to redirect a team in a difficult situation with a commitment to a distinct style of play and youth development.

“Matias came here because he welcomes the challenge of helping our organization open a new chapter after a grueling season. He had several other opportunities available to him from clubs and national teams around the world but made it very clear the Earthquakes were the one he wanted to lead.”

Almeyda, 44, comes to San Jose with an extensive background both as a player and manager. He most recently served as head coach of Chivas from September 2015 to June 2018, where he led the club to five trophies in his three seasons. During his tenure, Almeyda managed numerous Mexican National Team players, including Carlos Salcedo, Omar Bravo, Alan Pulido, Oswaldo Alanis, Rodolfo Pizarro, Miguel Angel Ponce and Isaac Brizuela.

Almeyda’s side won the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League with consecutive wins over MLS clubs Seattle Sounders FC (3-1 agg.), New York Red Bulls (1-0 agg.) and Toronto FC (3-3 agg.; 4-2 PKs). It marked the club’s first CONCACAF Champions League title since 1962, the first year of the competition’s existence, and secured Chivas’ first-ever qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup.

In addition to their international success, Chivas also performed well domestically under Almeyda. Chivas won the nation’s biannual tournament, Copa MX, in 2015 (Apertura) and 2017 (Clausura), as well as the 2016 Supercopa MX. The club also won the Clausura 2017 Liga MX championship, their first league title in more than 20 years. He was subsequently named Liga MX’s Best Coach after winning the league double.

Prior to joining Chivas in 2015, Almeyda was head coach for multiple clubs in his native Argentina.

In June 2011, Almeyda made the rare transition from player to head coach, where he was tasked with leading a River Plate side that had just suffered relegation. In his debut season as manager, Almeyda led the Argentine power to a commanding 20-5-13 record and promotion back to the nation’s top league. The team also reached the semifinals of Copa Argentina with five consecutive victories, in which they allowed one total goal, before bowing out to Racing in penalties.

Almeyda left River Plate in November 2012, joining Argentina’s Club Atletico Banfield a few months later. Banfield had also recently suffered relegation and turned to Almeyda to restore the club to the Primera División.

Banfield won the championship and earned promotion in his first season, finishing with a 22-8-12 record and +31 goal differential, scoring a league-best 71 goals in 42 games. Only one other team finished with more than 54 goals that season.

After avoiding relegation in 2014, Almeyda’s side surged ahead in 2015, finishing in eighth place in the 30-team league with a 14-8-8 record and earning qualification for the 2016 Copa Sudamericana. Almeyda departed for Chivas after the team’s successful 2015 season.

Almeyda became a head coach after a lengthy playing career that featured stints in five countries. The defensive midfielder played in nearly 300 club matches, including 129 in Italy’s top-flight Serie A, 63 in Argentina’s Primera División and 28 in Spain’s La Liga, also making 20 appearances in UEFA Champions League competition. He featured for some of the world’s most storied clubs, including Inter Milan, Lazio, Sevilla and River Plate.

Among the trophies he helped lift as a player are three Argentinian championships (’93, ’95, ’96), one Copa Libertadores (’96), one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (’99), one UEFA Super Cup (’00), three Italian Cups (‘98, ‘00, ’02) and one Italian championship (’00).

Almeyda started and ended his playing career at River Plate, retiring in 2011, and immediately taking the reins as head coach at age 37.

Internationally, Almeyda made 35 appearances for the Argentina National Team, scoring five goals. He represented his country at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.

San Jose State looks forward to Saturday’s game vs. Army at Levi’s Stadium

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — This past weekend, San Jose State flipped the script by putting up 30 unanswered points versus Colorado State. While the Spartans saw a boost in their confidence levels, the “C” grade went to the Rams, who won last Saturday’s game 42-30 for a strange victory.

Fast forward to Monday afternoon, where head coach Brent Brennan gave his weekly press conference inside Simpkins Stadium Center at CEFCU Stadium.

Here’s my Q&A with Brennan:

1. It appears that the Spartans don’t have a strategy to close out football games. Has the coaching staff found a way to ensure the team won’t allow the next opponent to retake the lead and eventually win the game?
The goal is always to win the game. The hard part is closing out a game. I think everyone we play is good. It’s hard to beat anybody. So what it comes down to is being locked in and finding a way to either get a stop or move the football. We had multiple chances in the last two games to do that, so obviously that’s something that we’ve been talking about a lot.

2. The Spartans’ on-the-field confidence looks like it has increased. How can the team continue to ride high on its momentum coming into Saturday’s game vs. Army? Army most recently blew out Buffalo 42-13.
Army’s got a really good football team. I think everybody knows that. I think they have the total respect of everybody in this country. For us to continue to build some momentum, continue to develop as a football team, the biggest, most important thing is how we practice tomorrow. That’s the next chance for our players to get coached up and watch the film and get some comfort with what we’re doing, so tomorrow’s a really important day and the best way for us to build on our momentum is to continue to practice our tails off and continue to put in the work that’s necessary to win.

3. There’s a chance there will be an increase in fans and viewers for Saturday’s game at Levi’s Stadium. Do you think the extra crowd noise will be a positive factor for the Spartans?
Yes, absolutely!

Spartan nation, don’t miss out on the VIP-style events this week. The Spartans will be hosting Casino Night at Santana Row this Thursday. All proceeds will benefit the Spartan Athletic Fund. You can register through this link: . After that, San Jose State will take on Army at Levi’s Stadium for a Saturday matinee at 12:30 pm PT. If you can’t make it Saturday, you can watch the national stream on ESPNU or listen to the local broadcast on KLIV 1590 AM.

Three takeaways from San Jose State’s fifth straight loss

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State Spartans aren’t going to have its own Cinderella story this season, but they have plenty of things to look back on, and hopefully, learn from. In case you missed it, San Jose State lost their fifth straight regular season game and second straight home game to Colorado State 42-30. The Spartans were clearly unhappy with the final result, but there was nothing they could do except for prepare for this Saturday’s game versus Army West Point.

Here are my three takeaways from SJSU’s second straight home game vs. CSU. As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading.

3. Tyler Nevens’ return
Sophomore running back Tyler Nevens wasn’t listed in the Spartans’ possible starters list, but Nevens got to see some action on the field. Nevens returned from an injury, wore the No. 28 instead of the usual No. 23 and scored a 6-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter to help SJSU cut the Rams’ lead in half 28-14.

Nevens finished the night with 20 attempts, 73 yards, 1 touchdown 17 long gains and a 3.7 average. Not too shabby for a star running back who fought fairly hard in his much-anticipated return.

2. Tre Hartley’s impact
Fifth-year wide receiver Tre Hartley apparently realized that SJSU had to get back into the game vs. CSU. Hartley scored two passing touchdowns, a 24-yard passing touchdown and 51-yard passing touchdown, off quality passes from senior quarterback Josh Love.

Hartley finished the night with 96 yards, 2 touchdowns, 51 long gains and a 24 average along with 8 targets. Hartley’s apparent persistence helped the Spartans avoid a shutout by the Rams.

1. Rams’ vanishing offense
The Rams were off to a fiery start and carried a 28-0 lead to the locker room at the end of the first half. But the Rams, who were nearly as bad as the Spartans, came undone for the majority of the second half.

We can’t help but wonder about the Rams’ vanishing offense up until a gutsy fourth quarter when CSU scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown and a 55-yard interception to outlast SJSU. The Rams’ offense sputtered after a strong start, which allowed the Spartans to score 30 unanswered points. The Spartans just couldn’t close out the game.

Spartan nation, don’t forget that this Saturday’s game will be held at Levi’s Stadium. If you haven’t already purchased your tickets, you can call or text (408) 924-7589.

San Jose State set the expectation off the field, but not on the field in 42-30 loss to Rams

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Spartans were ready to work in Saturday’s game versus the Colorado State Rams inside CEFCU Stadium on Saturday night. The Spartans hosted an equally bad Rams team on “Set the Expectation” night, but was it as great of an idea as it appeared on paper?

CSU opened the scoring with what turned out to be a five-yard passing touchdown by Preston Williams. SJSU’s pass interference penalty on JaQuan Blackwell was declined. Wyatt Bryant kicked in the extra point for a 7-0 Rams lead at the 10:57 mark of the first quarter.

Despite an apparent helmet-to-helmet injury to Jonathan Lenard, Jr., SJSU had some good looks midway through the first quarter like, say, Tyler Nevens’ 17-yard pickup.

CSU made it 14-0 with 3:04 left in the first. Williams scored a 16-yard passing touchdown and Bryan kicked in the extra point.

The Spartans trailed the Rams 14-0 at the end of the first. SJSU had to fine tune their offense in the next three quarters in order to pick up a win over CSU.

SJSU attracted some positive attention to themselves as Zamore Zigler intercepted K.J. Carta-Samuels’ pass intended for a CSU receiver midway through the second quarter.

CSU expanded its lead to 21-0 with 3:24 left in the second. Warren Jackson tallied a 16-yard passing touchdown and Bryan kicked in the extra point.

CSU extended its lead to 28-0, thanks to Jackson’s second touchdown on the night–a eight-yard passing touchdown–and Bryan’s kick for the extra point with 23 seconds left in the second.

The Spartans dug themselves into a larger deficit 28-0 at halftime.

SJSU, however, salvaged something in the third quarter. Josh Love completed a pass to Tre Hartley, who ran the ball for a 24-yard passing touchdown, and Bryce Crawford followed up with a successful kick for the extra point. The Spartans avoided a shutout, but were still down 28-7 with 7:47 left in the third.

SJSU cut the Rams’ lead in half with 5:17 left in the third. Tyler Nevens rushed for a six-yard rushing touchdown. Crawford kicked in the extra point to bring his team within 14 points, 28-14.

SJSU pulled within seven points just 3:09 later. Hartley scored his second touchdown on the night–a 51-yard passing touchdown off a pass from Love–and Crawford kicked in the extra point to pull closer to the Rams, 28-21.

It seemed like CSU wasn’t worried whatsoever, as SJSU tied the score 28-28 with 28 seconds left in the third. Thai Cottrell scored a one-yard passing touchdown and Crawford kicked in the game-tying, extra point. Just five seconds later, Boogie Roberts scored a safety to put the Spartans up 30-28.

The Spartans put up 30 unanswered points for a 30-28 lead at the end of the third.

CSU, however, refused to back down. Izzy Matthews rushed for a one-yard rushing touchdown and Bryan kicked in the extra point for a 35-30 Rams lead at the 11:26 mark of the fourth quarter. And, as if the confidence level wasn’t already high, CSU hurriedly capitalized on SJSU’s first turnover on the night for a 42-30 lead on Rashad Ajayi’s 55-yard interception and Bryan’s kick for the extra point.

The Spartans suffered their fifth straight loss, 42-30, to the Rams.

Notes
Spartans’ possible starters
Offense: Justin Holmes, Jackson Snyder, Troy Kowalski, Trevor Robbins, Jake Colman, Deano Motes, Josh Oliver, Josh Love, Malike Roberson, Thai Cottrell and JaQuan Blackwell.

Defense: Bryson Bridges, Boogie Roberts, Sailosi Latu, Jesse Osuna, Kyle Harmon, Ethan Aguayo, Jamal Scott, Dakari Monroe, John Touissaint, Tre Webb and Jonathan Lenard, Jr.

Up Next
The Spartans head to nearby Levi’s Stadium to face the Army Black Nights next Saturday at 12:30 pm PT on ESPNU.