San Jose State aims to keep rolling as FBS newbie Kennesaw State visits

SAN JOSE – A new head coach, a new quarterback and the third-fewest returning players (53) in the nation don’t normally make up a recipe for success.

“Normally” being the key word.

Despite those roster hurdles, San Jose State (2-0, 1-0 Mountain West) has won its first two games under Ken Niumatalolo. The last time the Spartans did that under a new head coach was in 1976 when Lynn Styles took over and started 3-0.

To match that mark, San Jose State must beat FBS newcomer Kennesaw State (0-2) at 4 p.m. Saturday at CEFCU Stadium.

Kennesaw State was led into Conference USA by coach Brian Bohannon, a former colleague of Niumatalolo’s at Navy under head coach Paul Johnson from 2002-07. The two assistant coaches lived across the street from each other and had a friendly rivalry away from football.

“I used to go down to his house and whip him at ping pong on the daily,” Bohannon said.

Niumatalolo reluctantly agreed at his Tuesday press conference: “He is better than me in ping pong.”

Saturday represents a chance for Niumatalolo to get a bit of revenge.

Defense leading the way

A lot of the Spartans’ early success is thanks to arguably the largest returner, defensive coordinator Derrick Odum.

The defense has allowed just 17 points in its last 90 minutes played. This bodes well against run-heavy Kennesaw State, which averages 13 points per game.

“I was proud that we played tough at Air Force. They’re a tough team to play but our guys played as tough as I’ve seen against them and that’s a testament to coach Odum,” Niumatalolo said Tuesday.

Sacramento State prides itself on distributing the ball through the air, but SJSU forced two interceptions and held the Hornets to 179 passing yards on 41 attempts en route to a 42-24 win.

Air Force and its offensive line have a goal of 300 rushing yards a game, but the Spartans allowed 197 yards of total offense in their 17-7 victory. The game plan won’t be too different against Kennesaw State, which has rushed the ball 76 times in its two games.

In mathematical terms, the Spartans defense is an independent variable; it will be the constant that keeps them in games no matter what else is going on.

Admittedly, they have only played an FCS opponent and a team that passes the ball fewer than 20 times a game. But they can only play who’s in front of them.

The unit is top-five in the nation in both passing efficiency defense (70.28) and turnovers forced (7).

Now the Spartans will face another option-heavy offense that has 21 completions on the season.

Air brigade

If there’s an independent variable, there must be a dependent variable. That would be SJSU’s passing game.

Emmett Brown, a transfer from Washington State, has taken the reins at quarterback and flexes more than 15 yards per completion. Weapons like Nick Nash and Justin Lockhart are proven receivers, both having had seasons of at least 500 receiving yards. Vertical threats continue to emerge like tight end Jackson Canaan (88 receiving yards, one touchdown) and receiver Treyshun Hurry (57 receiving yards). All these weapons stand at least 6-foot-2 — a luxury offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann admits he has never had before.

Despite those physically gifted pass-catchers, the Spartans only mustered 17 points against Air Force. Through two games, Brown has completed just 56.1 percent of his passes.

“I’m encouraged we can play better, much better,” Niumatalolo said Tuesday of the offense’s production so far.

Kennesaw State could provide an opportunity for San Jose State to find more rhythm on offense. In their first two games, the Owls’ defense allowed 537 passing yards on a 75 percent completion percentage to UTSA and Louisiana.

Brown can take a hit

On the subject of passing, Brown has grit. He has endured hits, sacks and even targeting in these two weeks. Not great for the 5-foot-10 quarterback going against a defense that’s already compiled five sacks and five quarterback hits this season.

Every time Brown has been knocked down, he’s popped right back up. Still, the Spartans hope to lessen the shots he takes through the rest of the season.

“It comes as part of being in the position. It comes with being quarterback, it happens,” Brown said after the Air Force game.

Running struggles

The Spartans have rushed the ball at least 65 times in their first two games but have gained just 113 total yards (1.7 yards per attempt).

The statistics can be misleading given errant snaps in Week 1 and sacks accounting for negative yardage.

“When we get our runs, they’ve been decent. But we definitely need to get better at that,” Niumatalolo said.

The Owls have also been vulnerable in the run game. They allowed two 80-yard rushers and three rushing touchdowns in last week’s matchup against Louisiana-Monroe.

San Jose State features three new running backs from last year and an essentially new offensive line. The lone returning starter, Marist Talavou, missed the first game due to injury and was ejected in the third quarter of the Air Force game.

After a Week 1 scramble to solve the center position, things look to be cemented along the offensive line. Now it’s a matter of executing to improve what’s currently the 128th rushing unit in the nation.