Game Overview NEWS

Fresno State vs. San Jose State

Published by Admin on October 17, 2009

The outlook for this game doesn’t look to great for the San Jose State Spartans. They’re run defense has shown to struggle the past weeks against Toby Gerhart and Joe McKnight, and now they have to face the leading rusher in the nation – Ryan Mathews.

On Saturday, October 17th Ryan Mathews and the Fresno State Bulldogs will face San Jose State at Fresno, California. Right now the Spartans are 1-4 overall and 0-1 WAC. The Spartans defense doesn’t look to hot either allowing an average of 251.4 rushing yards a game which ranks their defense 118th out of 120 teams in the NCAA. This is mostly due to having to face runners such as Stanford’s Toby Gerhart and USC’s Joe Mcknight.

But don’t get your hopes up Spartans fans…you’ll have to face leading rusher Ryan Mathews, who averages 148.2 yards a game. This season Mathews (Junior) has carried the ball 111 times for a total of 741 yards, including 6 touchdowns. Every attempt Ryan Mathews gets he averages 6.68 yards.

San Jose Just Not Looking so Hot
Even though San Jose has been struggling defending against the running game, you’d expect them to compensate somewhere else. However, they are also struggling against the pass game aas well. The Spartans are allowing an average of 211.8 passing yards a game.

Some honorable mentions on the Spartans team include:

Tanner Burns (Safety): 47 tackles, 2 interceptions, forced 4 fumbles
Duke Ihenacho (Safety): 47 tackles and 5 pass breakups

The only good thing the Spartans have been doing all season is forcing turnovers with 14 on the season.

Bulldogs Momentum if Carrying Forward
Last week against Hawaii the Bulldogs were able to force 3 turnovers which brings their season total to 5. Fresno State has also been giving up about 26 points per game and 369.8 yards.

The only sacks Fresno State has been able to record is all by one person – Defensive End Chris Carter.

Honorable Mentions
Ben Jacobs (Middle Linebacker): 34 tackles
Moses Harris (Safety): 22 tackles
Desia Dunn (Cornerback): 22 tackles, 4 pass breakups

Fresno is also struggling against the run game just like their opponents, allowing an average of 5.5 yards a carry and 134.4 yards a game.

However, Fresno State is averaging 5 touchdowns a game. Ryan Colburn, the Bulldogs quarterback has completed 60% of his passes for a total of 9 touchdowns and 910 yards.

History
Overall, San Jose State hasn’t done very well against the Fresno State Bulldogs having lost the last 14 out of 15 games. Last year the Bulldogs beat the Spartans 24-10.