Pre-Season Preview: San Jose State Spartans

2009 Record: 2-10 (1-7 in WAC)
2009 Bowl: None
Final 2009 AP Ranking: Not Ranked
Head Coach: Mike MacIntyre (First Time Head Coach)
Non-Conference Schedule: at Alabama (9/4), at Wisconsin (9/11), Southern Utah (9/18), at Utah (9/25), UC Davis (10/2)

2009 Offensive Statistics
Scoring: 13.8 points per game (8th in WAC, 118th in Nation)
Rushing Yards/Game: 76 (9th in WAC, 116th in Nation)
Passing Yards/Game: 207 (5th in WAC)
Total Yards/Game: 284 (8th in WAC, 115th in Nation)

2009 Defensive Statistics
Scoring: 34.5 points per game (8th in WAC, 109th in Nation)
Rushing Yards/Game: 259 (last in WAC, 119th in Nation)
Passing Yards/Game: 183 (2nd in WAC)
Total Yards/Game: 442 (8th in WAC, 109th in Nation)

2009 Misc Stats
Turnover Margin: -0.33 per game (5th in WAC)
Penalties: 46 yards per game (3rd in WAC)

Returning Starters
Offense: 8
Defense: 7
Kicker/Punter: 1

Top Returning Statistical Leaders
Passing: QB Jordan La Secla, Sr (182 of 304 for 1926 yds, 10 TD, 11 INT, 160 ypg)
Rushing: RB Lamon Muldrow, Sr (131 carries for 592 yds, 4.5 ypc, 49 ypg)
Receiving: WR Marquis Avery, Sr (42 rec, 465 yds, 6 TD, 4.7 rec/game)
Tackles: FS Tanner Burns, Jr (94)
Sacks: DT Pablo Garcia, Jr (4)
Interceptions: FS Tanner Burns, Jr (2); CB Peyton Thompson, Jr (2)

2010 Pre-Season Rankings
Athlon Sports: #110
Pre-Snap Read: #113

2010 Pre-Season WAC Prediction
Athlon Sports: #8
Phil Steele: #9


What do you get when you combine one of the worst offenses in the WAC with one of the worst defenses in the WAC? You get 2-10. That's what San Jose State got last year.The Spartans are only a few years removed from a bowl victory in the New Mexico bowl but the only wins they had last year were a 10 point win over Cal Poly and a 3 point win over a 3-10 New Mexico State team. San Jose State has a new head coach in former Duke defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre. San Jose State has scheduled 3 heavyweights on their non-conference schedule (Alabama, Wisconsin and Utah) and 2 wins (UC Davis and Southern Utah). I guess they aren't counting on going bowling since they scheduled 13 regular season games. We questioned the San Jose State blog Spartanthunder.com to find out what they thought about the 2010 Spartans.


What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of the team?

Strengths- Defense is the only strength, but will be weaker this year due to loss of players to graduation.

Weaknesses- No proven QB, Kicking Game, or Running game to be seen (San Jose State lost its best offensive players and two of its three defensive players).

Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test?

First major test is the first game of the season versus national champion Alabama (good luck)

What team on the schedule do you fear the most?

Most feared- #1 ranked Alabama, #4 ranked Boise, #16 Wisconsin, #18 Utah, Fresno and Nevada (all equally feared)

Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?

Best player nobody talks about- RB, Brandon Rutley

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

Best offensive player- RB Lamon Muldrow

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

Best defensive player- S Duke Ihenacho

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?

Step up player- Any QB on the squad

Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

Best offensive newcomer- Cory Murphy- QB Frosh

Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

Best defensive newcomer- Courtlin Thompson- S

Gut feeling on the teams final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?

Final record 2010- 3 wins and 10 lost (Only wins are southern utah, nm state, and hawaii)- And could lose the hawaii game and be 2 and 11. The season is a disaster even before it has began with a new head coach, and not much to rebuild upon.


Previous WAC Previews
Boise State Broncos
Fresno State Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
New Mexico State Aggies

Next Up: Michael Felder interview
Next Preview: North Texas Mean Green

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