San Jose State football opens camp on same page
Originally published by the San Jose Mercury News Aug. 5, 2011.
By Jon Wilner
San Jose State opened training camp Friday with a 21/2-hour practice that was heavy on banter and energy but noticeably light on Mike MacIntyre.
The second-year head coach spent most of his time observing the proceedings — a stark contrast to the first workout of the 2010 season, when MacIntyre was forced to repeatedly bark instructions to players unsure of the playbook and practice format.
“We’re so far ahead of last year, when we were moving people around the whole practice,” MacIntyre said. “The kids know where they’re going, and the coaches understand what we’re trying to do. There weren’t a lot of terrible corrections. Everything went pretty well.”
Coming off a 1-12 season in which injuries forced a slew of freshmen into the lineup, the Spartans have 19 returning starters and 49 returning lettermen. The schemes are essentially the same, and several key assistant coaches are back, including defensive coordinator Kent Baer and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo.
“You look around, and it seems like all the guys have been here — and they all know their stuff,” said senior safety Duke Ihenacho, who missed most of last season because of a foot injury. “We’ve made a lot of progress.”
Familiarity with the playbook and practice format should allow SJSU to focus on resolving several pressing issues before the Sept. 3 opener at Stanford:
Find a quarterback
Four inexperienced players are competing for the starting job: senior Matt Faulkner, sophomore Dasmen Stewart, redshirt freshman Blake Jurich and true freshman Joe Gray.Tate Forcier, the heralded transfer from Michigan, is not eligible this season.
Faulkner was unimpressive in a backup role last year but has the best feel for the offense. Stewart is the most effective runner. Jurich, from Santa Cruz, might be the best combination of runner and passer. Gray is well-regarded but a rookie who will need time to learn the offense.
MacIntyre may wait until late in training camp to name a starter. The challenge will be getting each player enough repetitions to make an accurate evaluation.
Locate a running game
The Spartans ranked 119th in the nation in rushing last season (out of 120 teams), with a per-game average of 62.8 yards.
The year before that, they ranked 117th.
The year before that, they ranked 115th.
Will they be any better this season?
Senior tailback Brandon Rutley enters camp as the starter but hasn’t lived up to the potential he showed with his breathtaking 60-yard touchdown run against Boise State in 2008.
Rutley’s primary challengers are junior David Freeman, who started his career at Washington, and redshirt freshman Ben Thompson.
Solidify the lines
There are more options up front than the Spartans have had in years.
The offensive line could feature a junior, three seniors and a graduate student (center Robbie Reed), with several veterans capable of playing multiple positions.
The defensive line should be two deep at every spot and includes end David Tuitupou, who spent two years at BYU before transferring.
But are any of the options good options?
Stay healthy
The Spartans were hit hard by injuries last season — and not all of them came during the regular season. Two key players (linebacker Pompey Festejo and offensive tackle Fred Koloto) were hurt before the first game.
In an attempt to make his team stronger and faster, MacIntyre hired a new strength coach, Dave Forman, who was on Stanford’s staff last season.
“We’re in much better shape,” MacIntyre said.
But one projected starter is already hobbling: Receiver Kyle Nunn will miss several weeks with a foot injury.
Improve kicking game
The Spartans lost three games last year by three points or less, in part because redshirt freshman Harrison Waid made just 63.6 percent of his field goals.
Waid also handled the punting and kickoff duties — that’s a lot to ask of any player, especially a rookie.
The Spartans would be best-served by allowing Waid to concentrate on placekicking. At the very least, Waid must improve his accuracy inside 40 yards.
What was true of SJSU in 2010 will be true again this fall: It cannot waste any scoring opportunities.
For more on college sports, see Jon Wilner’s College Hotline at blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports. Contact him at jwilner@mercurynews.com or 408-920-5716.
1. Find a quarterback. It’s a four-man competition.
2. Locate a running game. SJSU ranked 119th in rushing in ’10.
3. Solidify the lines. There is depth, but talent is a question mark.
4. Stay healthy. Injuries destroyed any chance last season.
5. Improve kicking game. Three losses in ’10 were by three points or less.