Iceland12
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2008
- Messages
- 24,758
- Reaction score
- 2,421
- Points
- 113
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_26566700/can-san-jose-states-defense-avoid-being-physically
San Jose State coach Ron Caragher was upset after last year's loss with his team's inability to tackle. Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner and other ball carriers often rode defenders for several yards after initial contact.
The key difference this year, the Spartans say, is their improved ability to rally to the ball. That's something new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson has preached since his first day on the job in the spring.
"If you want to gauge tackling and stopping the running game, this is a good opponent because they do an exceptional job of running the football," Caragher said. "They have a consistent power run game and they've got big-bodied guys. They've got five 300-plus pounders up front.".
Caragher called this game a good barometer to judge the defense's improvements, and linebacker Christian Tago, the team's leading tackler, said that game still lingers.
"That's always there," Tago said. "Every game's important, but I know in the offseason, there's a circle around this game after what happened last year. I'm really excited to play in this game. All the guys are excited to go back out there and get a second chance to play them."
Pruitt blamed last year's performance on the defense's inexperience. Five of the Spartans' starters in that game were first-year starters and even Pruitt was making his debut at safety (he's since moved back to cornerback).
"Last year I felt we were pretty prepared, but it was just the experience," Pruitt said. "Guys not used to being in the atmosphere and not used to the tempo..
http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_26566709/fact-box-san-jose-state-at-minnesota
SERIES HISTORY: Minnesota leads 2-1, including a 43-24 win last season. The Spartans' victory was led by Jeff Garcia in 1992.
STORYLINE: San Jose State played terribly on defense in last year's loss to the Golden Gophers and that began a trend that lasted all season. Improvements to that unit seemed to have been made, but the first two games weren't proper tests as the Spartans faced an overmatched foe and then were overmatched against Auburn. This game should provide clarity of how much the defense has grown.
INJURY UPDATE: San Jose State -- LB Moses Saucedo (knee), LB Jared Leaf (burns), OL Nico Aimonetti (shoulder), OL Oscar Barron (concussion), DE Sean Bacon (eligibility) are out. WR K.C. Pearce (shoulder) is doubtful. RB Thomas Tucker (ankle) is probable. Minnesota -- OL Alex Mayes (shoulder), WR Logan Hutton (undisclosed), WR Isaiah Gentry (knee), LB Cody Poock (knee), OL Jared Weyler (knee), LB Nick Rallis (knee), DT Scott Ekpe (knee) and TE Duke Anyanwu (knee) are out. QB Mitch Leidner (toe/knee), WR K.J. Maye (undisclosed), TE Maxx Williams (undisclosed), OL Zac Epping (ankle) and DL Alex Keith (knee) are questionable. RB David Cobb (ankle) and LB Damien Wilson (ankle) are probable.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Minnesota's running game vs. San Jose State front line. The Gophers can win without doing much in the passing game. Last year, they threw for only 71 yards while beating the Spartans. That allows them to avoid SJSU's defensive strength -- the secondary. The Spartans' hope in this one relies on not letting Minnesota run at will as it did last season when it averaged 5.3 yards per carry..
San Jose State coach Ron Caragher was upset after last year's loss with his team's inability to tackle. Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner and other ball carriers often rode defenders for several yards after initial contact.
The key difference this year, the Spartans say, is their improved ability to rally to the ball. That's something new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson has preached since his first day on the job in the spring.
"If you want to gauge tackling and stopping the running game, this is a good opponent because they do an exceptional job of running the football," Caragher said. "They have a consistent power run game and they've got big-bodied guys. They've got five 300-plus pounders up front.".
Caragher called this game a good barometer to judge the defense's improvements, and linebacker Christian Tago, the team's leading tackler, said that game still lingers.
"That's always there," Tago said. "Every game's important, but I know in the offseason, there's a circle around this game after what happened last year. I'm really excited to play in this game. All the guys are excited to go back out there and get a second chance to play them."
Pruitt blamed last year's performance on the defense's inexperience. Five of the Spartans' starters in that game were first-year starters and even Pruitt was making his debut at safety (he's since moved back to cornerback).
"Last year I felt we were pretty prepared, but it was just the experience," Pruitt said. "Guys not used to being in the atmosphere and not used to the tempo..
http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_26566709/fact-box-san-jose-state-at-minnesota
SERIES HISTORY: Minnesota leads 2-1, including a 43-24 win last season. The Spartans' victory was led by Jeff Garcia in 1992.
STORYLINE: San Jose State played terribly on defense in last year's loss to the Golden Gophers and that began a trend that lasted all season. Improvements to that unit seemed to have been made, but the first two games weren't proper tests as the Spartans faced an overmatched foe and then were overmatched against Auburn. This game should provide clarity of how much the defense has grown.
INJURY UPDATE: San Jose State -- LB Moses Saucedo (knee), LB Jared Leaf (burns), OL Nico Aimonetti (shoulder), OL Oscar Barron (concussion), DE Sean Bacon (eligibility) are out. WR K.C. Pearce (shoulder) is doubtful. RB Thomas Tucker (ankle) is probable. Minnesota -- OL Alex Mayes (shoulder), WR Logan Hutton (undisclosed), WR Isaiah Gentry (knee), LB Cody Poock (knee), OL Jared Weyler (knee), LB Nick Rallis (knee), DT Scott Ekpe (knee) and TE Duke Anyanwu (knee) are out. QB Mitch Leidner (toe/knee), WR K.J. Maye (undisclosed), TE Maxx Williams (undisclosed), OL Zac Epping (ankle) and DL Alex Keith (knee) are questionable. RB David Cobb (ankle) and LB Damien Wilson (ankle) are probable.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Minnesota's running game vs. San Jose State front line. The Gophers can win without doing much in the passing game. Last year, they threw for only 71 yards while beating the Spartans. That allows them to avoid SJSU's defensive strength -- the secondary. The Spartans' hope in this one relies on not letting Minnesota run at will as it did last season when it averaged 5.3 yards per carry..
