08/15/07
San Jose State coach Dick Tomey knows that his team overachieved in 2006.
"We sucked every bit of blood out of that turnip," he said.
And he knows that 2007 will be much more difficult.
"We have to take a quantum leap," he said, "or we'll get our butts kicked."
So it's no surprise that the Spartans, who went 9-4 last year and won the New Mexico Bowl, were picked to finish fifth in the WAC by the coaches and media.
They had won just eight games in the three previous years combined ? and this year's schedule hints of a return to the leaner days. The Spartans open the season with four straight road games, including trips to Arizona State, Kansas State and Stanford.
The Spartans also have a three-game stretch of games against Hawaii (at home) and at Fresno State and Boise State.
That's six games in which the Spartans likely will be underdogs.
"It's going to be a challenge," quarterback Adam Tafralis said. "Four straight to start on the road is not something any team looks at as desirable. ? It's how we fight through it that is going to show our true character."
The Spartans return 15 starters, including some of the WAC's top talent. Tafralis ranked 11th in the nation in pass efficiency, cornerback Dwight Lowery tied for the national lead in interceptions (nine) and was named a first-team All-American, linebacker Matt Castelo finished second in the nation in tackles (165) and running back Yonus Davis averaged 6.2 yards per carry.
Players like those are the reason Tomey says this year's team should be better than last year's."We want more," Tafralis said. "We want more wins. We want a better record. We want a WAC championship. That's the biggest thing that we're trying to bring to San Jose State. That's what seniors like Dwight, Matt and I want to leave behind to the younger players, something they can keep building on."
The Spartans' concern is the lack of playmakers at wide receiver ? James Jones and John Broussard grabbed two-thirds of the team's catches last year ? and their slim margin for error.
San Jose State won six games by 10 points or fewer last season. Two losses ? including the heartbreaking 23-20 loss to Boise State ? were decided by less than a touchdown.
The Spartans are not a dominant outfit. They're scrappy.
And scrappy might not be enough against this schedule.
"People are noticing that we're better," Tomey said. "When they come out, they can see it. When they come out this year, they'll see we're better than last year. But we're still not who we want to be in anything."
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San Jose State at a glance
Last season: 9-4, 5-3 WAC
Returning starters: Six offense, seven defense, two specialists
Players to watch: QB Adam Tafralis, RB Yonus Davis, LB Matt Castelo, CB Dwight Lowery, CB Christopher Owens, P Waylon Prather, K Jared Strubeck
Coach: Dick Tomey, third season at San Jose State (12-12), 27th season overall (170-122-7)
Season opener: at Arizona State, Sept. 1
First WAC game: at Utah State, Sept. 22
Scheduling fact: The Spartans play only five home games, and one of them is against Division I-AA UC Davis.
Scary statistic: The Spartans have sliced their points allowed per game from 42.6 to 20.8 in two years under Tomey.
San Jose State coach Dick Tomey knows that his team overachieved in 2006.
"We sucked every bit of blood out of that turnip," he said.
And he knows that 2007 will be much more difficult.
"We have to take a quantum leap," he said, "or we'll get our butts kicked."
So it's no surprise that the Spartans, who went 9-4 last year and won the New Mexico Bowl, were picked to finish fifth in the WAC by the coaches and media.
They had won just eight games in the three previous years combined ? and this year's schedule hints of a return to the leaner days. The Spartans open the season with four straight road games, including trips to Arizona State, Kansas State and Stanford.
The Spartans also have a three-game stretch of games against Hawaii (at home) and at Fresno State and Boise State.
That's six games in which the Spartans likely will be underdogs.
"It's going to be a challenge," quarterback Adam Tafralis said. "Four straight to start on the road is not something any team looks at as desirable. ? It's how we fight through it that is going to show our true character."
The Spartans return 15 starters, including some of the WAC's top talent. Tafralis ranked 11th in the nation in pass efficiency, cornerback Dwight Lowery tied for the national lead in interceptions (nine) and was named a first-team All-American, linebacker Matt Castelo finished second in the nation in tackles (165) and running back Yonus Davis averaged 6.2 yards per carry.
Players like those are the reason Tomey says this year's team should be better than last year's."We want more," Tafralis said. "We want more wins. We want a better record. We want a WAC championship. That's the biggest thing that we're trying to bring to San Jose State. That's what seniors like Dwight, Matt and I want to leave behind to the younger players, something they can keep building on."
The Spartans' concern is the lack of playmakers at wide receiver ? James Jones and John Broussard grabbed two-thirds of the team's catches last year ? and their slim margin for error.
San Jose State won six games by 10 points or fewer last season. Two losses ? including the heartbreaking 23-20 loss to Boise State ? were decided by less than a touchdown.
The Spartans are not a dominant outfit. They're scrappy.
And scrappy might not be enough against this schedule.
"People are noticing that we're better," Tomey said. "When they come out, they can see it. When they come out this year, they'll see we're better than last year. But we're still not who we want to be in anything."
============
San Jose State at a glance
Last season: 9-4, 5-3 WAC
Returning starters: Six offense, seven defense, two specialists
Players to watch: QB Adam Tafralis, RB Yonus Davis, LB Matt Castelo, CB Dwight Lowery, CB Christopher Owens, P Waylon Prather, K Jared Strubeck
Coach: Dick Tomey, third season at San Jose State (12-12), 27th season overall (170-122-7)
Season opener: at Arizona State, Sept. 1
First WAC game: at Utah State, Sept. 22
Scheduling fact: The Spartans play only five home games, and one of them is against Division I-AA UC Davis.
Scary statistic: The Spartans have sliced their points allowed per game from 42.6 to 20.8 in two years under Tomey.
