SAN JOSE STATE
The Spartans can't afford to dwell on their missed opportunity to score a signature win.
That certainly was the case over the weekend when San Jose State outgained the opponent and showed impressive control of the line of scrimmage on offense but turned the ball over four times in a 35-21 loss at Auburn.
While the Tigers aren't the same SEC and national contender they've been the past two seasons, there was a lot of good to take away from performing admirably against a team of that caliber.
If the Spartans can bring that physical play into Mountain West action, their chances of contending are quite high. It starts again this week with a matchup that has a lot more appeal than it did at the start of the season.
San Jose State's trip to play UNLV could showcase which team is a primary contender, along with San Diego State, to win the West Division. These teams finished at the bottom of the West standings last year, but are showing signs of making a leap after the Spartans demolished defending division champion Fresno State and UNLV went on the road to beat Nevada.
Considering the Spartans face the Aztecs at home in two weeks, this upcoming stretch might be SJSU's most important one of the season.
Led by the early front-runner for Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Tyler Ervin, the Spartans possess the league's third-rated offense in yards per game and the most versatile. San Jose State is the Mountain West's only team to average more than 200 yards both passing and rushing.
Next game: at UNLV, 7 p.m. MT Saturday (Mountain West Digital Network)
Notable: San Jose State's last chance at picking up television bonus money came up empty when its Oct. 17 homecoming game against San Diego State was selected to air on ESPNU. The rest of the Spartans' games are already slated for digital broadcasts or non-bonus networks. SJSU has earned $900,000 in bonus money during its three seasons in the MW. The Spartans had two bonus games in 2013 and one last season. ... QB Kenny Potter is still recovering from his high ankle sprain and it's unknown when he'll return, although Joe Gray has played well in his absence and that could play a role in the decision of when to bring back Potter. RB Thomas Tucker, who missed two games but returned two weeks ago against Fresno State, was back out against Auburn and is expected to miss some more time. SJSU took the redshirt off true freshman Malik Roberson on Saturday and he carried two times for seven yards against Auburn.
— Jimmy Durkin, San Jose Mercury News
UNLV
Sophomore Kurt Palandech will start at quarterback for UNLV when the Rebels host San Jose State this Saturday.
He replaces senior Blake Decker, who separated his non-throwing shoulder in Saturday’s 23-17 victory at Nevada. Decker will be available in an emergency.
"If (Decker) was healthy, it would be a different story, but he's probably going to be about 80 percent," coach Tony Sanchez said.
Palandech has been used in spots throughout the season, and twice he was put in for extended action when Decker got hurt. He struggled both times, but played better during the most recent performance at Nevada in completing 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards and rushing for a 12-yard touchdown.
But the Rebels' offense bogged down during the second half, totaling 55 yards as the Wolf Pack rallied to nearly take the victory. Nevada shut down UNLV's run game when it became clear the Rebels weren't going to beat the Wolf Pack through the air.
The Rebels, though, found a way to win, and they celebrated by taking the Fremont Cannon through campus to the Student Union. The team painted the cannon, which goes to the annual winner of the series, from blue to red.
About 1,500 students and officials turned out for the painting ceremony.
"This is for Vegas," Decker told the crowd. "This is for UNLV. Don’t get used to seeing the cannon blue because it’s going to be red for a long time."
Next game: vs. San Jose State, 7 p.m. MT Saturday (Mountain West Digital Network)
Notable: UNLV ended a nine-game road losing streak with the victory at Nevada. The Rebels have won their past two trips to Reno, but that victory was just their second in the series in the past 11 games. … UNLV has intercepted nine passes, which is tied for seventh nationally. … The Rebels have allowed four touchdowns in the past 10 quarters. They also are the last team to score against Michigan, which since has posted eight consecutive shutout quarters. … UNLV has returned interceptions for touchdowns in back-to-back games. Until then, it had been almost five years since the Rebels took one all the way back.
— Mark Anderson, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Read more here:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/...-west-football-report.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy
