PREGAME NOTES
San Jose State (1-1 overall, 0-0 Mountain West) at Minnesota (2-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
Minneapolis, Minnesota – TCF Bank Stadium (52,525)
Saturday 3:00 p.m. CT – BTN
The Gophers will look to get back to their winning ways as they take on San Jose State at TCF Bank Stadium this Saturday. Minnesota will need a strong showing against the Spartans to help erase the memory of their tough loss at TCU.
“Putting it behind us and moving forward and getting ready for the next one, that is kind of how this profession works,” said Jerry Kill. “So you’ve got to have a short memory and go to work, so that’s what we’re doing.”
Series History
The Gophers hold a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series against SJSU. The Spartans’ only victory over the Maroon and Gold came back in 1992 when San Jose State topped Minnesota, 39-30. When the two teams met last season, the Gopher offense put on a show; putting up 43 points in a 43-24 victory. Mitch Leidner ran for 151 yards and four touchdowns while David Cobb added two scores of his own. Led by star quarterback David Fales, the Spartans put up 439 yards passing and three touchdowns but were unable to handle the potent Minnesota offense.
Season to Date
San Jose Sate enters Saturday’s contest with a record of one and one. The Spartans opened the season by thumping North Dakota, 42-10. SJSU held the UND offense to just 244 yards in the contest. The San Jose State defense didn’t fare as well the following week against Gus Malzahn’s explosive spread attack. No. 5 Auburn put up nearly 500 yards of offense—including 358 on the ground—and 59 points on the Spartans. SJSU didn’t play last week due a bye. This will be back-to-back the Gophers’ opponent will have an extra week to prepare before the game.
Coaching Preview
Ron Caragher enters his second season as the head coach at San Jose State. Caragher had one of the most successful first seasons in Spartan history. He was the first coach in the past 21 years to finish his debut season with a .500 or better winning percentage and a winning record in conference play. San Jose State finished 5-3 in conference play and 6-6 overall. The highlight of 2013 was concluding the season with a win over No. 13 Fresno State, 62-52. The win ended a string of 21-consecutive losses against nationally-ranked opponents. Prior to taking over at San Jose State, Caragher spent six seasons at the University of San Diego. In his seventh season overall as a head coach; the UCLA alum has earned a record of 50-28.
Impressive Defense
After struggling to move the ball against TCU, the Gophers will now face a Spartan team that ranks third in the Mountain West, allowing 368.5 total yards of offense per game. What makes SJSU difficult to prepare for is their ability to switch things up on defense to keep the quarterback on his toes.
“They run 4‑3, but they’ll lineup in a lot of different variations,” said Kill. “They’ll play bear, five down linemen, they’ll shift into that. They move their linebackers around. They’ll bring somebody off the edge. They’ll play a lot of cover one, cover three.”
Matchup to Watch
With a number of youngsters playing in the Gophers’ front four, a key to Saturday’s game will be to establish a pass rush to slow down a dangerous SJSU offense. Minnesota has recorded just five sacks on the year while a solid Spartan offensive line has allowed just four on the season. The Gophers feel that Saturday’s game could be a chance for the defense to put pressure on the quarterback.
“[The Spartans] hold the ball a little bit longer, more five‑step passing game where TCU is a lot more three step and really get it out really fast,” said Tracy Claeys. “…They’re more traditional. They’re one back is more traditional. It’s just not hurry the line, and pick it up and throw it.”
Player to Watch
No. 7 Tyler Ervin – The versatile playmaker can hurt the opposition in many ways. The 5-foot-10, 178-pound wide receiver has scored touchdowns four different ways during his career with the Spartans—rushing (2), receiving (2), kick off return (3), and punt return (1). He is one of just eight active FBS players with at least four return touchdowns. The Gophers would be wise to limit Ervin’s opportunities to make explosive plays and flip field position in the return game.
Background
Location: San Jose, CA
Enrollment: 31,278
Conference: Mountain West
Mascot: Spartans
Colors: Gold, Blue, and White
Coach: Ron Caragher (2nd Season)