By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
San Jose State was blown out yet again Saturday afternoon against BYU 41-20 for the same reason it has all season.
Technically speaking, a team can only be rusty if it was playing well before a rest, but that’s not the case for the Spartans.
SJSU once again fell behind early, couldn’t protect the football and had trouble stopping a BYU team that is not known for its running game.
“We just got all kinds of work to do — everywhere,” said head coach Brent Brennan postgame.
Last week’s bye served as a week to recuperate, to reenergize and to come back healthy. There was a definite lack of energy by the Spartan offense and injuries came back to haunt them once again.
Most notable was in the first quarter right after BYU broke the game open on its first possession. During the ensuing kickoff, Rahshead Johnson was clobbered by Brayden El-Bakri in the neck, leaving him laying on the ground for several minutes.
The officials reviewed the play for a possible targeting penalty, but it was not granted. Brennan was livid on the sideline after the referees did not provide an explanation.
“That was a tough one,” Brennan said. “I don’t understand that call. I guess that’s why they have review.”
Johnson made his first appearance of the season two weeks ago at Hawaii where he scored a combined three touchdowns, including a kickoff return.
It’s presumed Johnson’s injury is a concussion, but Brennan isn’t taking any chances.
“We lost a good player, probably for the year because of it. I feel bad for Rahshead,” Brennan said.
Johnson ended up letting go of the football on impact and the Cougars recovered. BYU would then score and the Spartans were quickly in a two-touchdown hole within the game’s first six minutes.
A couple of Bryce Crawford field goals brought SJSU within eight with 10:45 left in the first half, but BYU took just two plays to extend the lead to 15 thanks to a 75-yard rushing touchdown by KJ Hall.
SJSU fumbled the ball six times and threw two interceptions, but luckily, and that’s used loosely, got three of those back as falling on two fumbles and had a pick overturned thanks to a defensive holding.
“We turned the ball over four times in the first half, and repeatedly put our defense in really hard situations,” Brennan said.
A bright spot for the SJSU offense again this week was Tyler Nevens, who rushed for over 100 yards for the first time in his career, totaling 112 yards on 26 carries.
Brennan even had some words about his 6-foot, 215 pound back, but at this point, he want’s it to be contagious.
“Tyler is a tough kid, he’s doing a great job,” he said.
Although redshirt freshman quarterback Montel Aaron was sacked three times, he unselfishly praised his offensive line for Nevens’ big day.
“Anytime you got a running back that rushes for over 100 yards, you know that starts with your O-line,” Aaron said after the loss.
Aaron completed 25/39 for 198 yards, 2TDs and an INT.
The Spartans will get to host a game next week for the first time in 27 days, but it will be against a tough San Diego State team currently competing for a Mountain West title.