Home College Football San Jose State Remains Perfect And King Of The Mountain West After...

San Jose State Remains Perfect And King Of The Mountain West After Defeating Boise State

955
0
Photo Credit:Jerry Kelly

Las Vegas, NV. – The Mountain West Football Championship Game between the San José State Spartans (6-0) and the Boise State Broncos (5-1) ended in a 34-20 victory for San Jose. Boise has appeared in this game 4 times in recent years and is always considered a perennial power. The abbreviated 2020 season, due to COVID-19 was a breakout year for the Spartans who entered the contest on a 7 game winning streak. True to form, the Spartans’ prolific passing attack and tenacious defensive line allowed them to hoist its 1st Mountain West Trophy. Both teams are awaiting bowl announcements and should receive a bid relatively soon.

Spartan quarterback Nick Starkel put SJSU on the board first. Boise’s defense got caught in a blitz and the cornerback missed the tackle in the flat area which helped NFL-bound wide receiver Tre Walker took a short hitch route to the house for a 55-yard touchdown. Nick Starkel was awarded MVP after he finished the game 32-for-52 for 453 yards and three touchdowns.

Boise’s quarterback Hank Bachmeier was under a heavy pressure from the stout Spartan defensive line all game long. Bachmeier’s athleticism and ability to escape pressure extended drives throughout the afternoon. However, Cade Hall, Spartan defensive- end and Mountain West Defensive Player Of The Year, set the tone with two sacks in the first quarter. Sophomore standout Viliami Fehoko the other book end was the other unrelenting force that continued to collapse the pocket around Bachmeier.

Boise kicker Jonah Dalmas went (2 for 3) in the first half to put six points on the board for the Broncos. The first quarter was plagued by penalties that either extended or killed drives for both teams. San Jose State led 7-3 after the end of the first quarter.

Boise’s defense continued to pressure the middle of the pocket and hurry Starkel in the second quarter. Nose tackle Divine Obichere created havoc throughout the contest in the first half. San Jose made some adjustments in its offense and used screen passes and quick slants to offset the pass rush.

Both teams played a relatively clean and disciplined second quarter. The Boise defense stiffened in the red zone. The Spartans were forced to settle for four field goals from inside the 15-yard line. San Jose State took a 19-6 lead into halftime but had to feel like they left a lot of points on the board.

Photo Credit:Jerry Kelly

Boise’s special teams made it interesting in the third quarter when Avery Williams returned a 69-yard punt for a touchdown. The Broncos closed the gap 19-13 with a lot of football to be played on the clock.

The Spartans responded like champions. Nick Starkel was able to steady the ship with timely completions to Tre Walker (7 catches for 137 yards) and Derrick Deese, Jr. Once Boise started to put emphasis on the passing game, the running lanes opened for running back Tyler Nevins.

In the fourth quarter, Boise’s defense fought hard, but the Spartans added two more touchdowns to extend their lead 34-20.

San Jose state’s historical season was many firsts: Mountain West Champion, Top 25 National Ranking, and first victory over Boise State. Brennan stated that his most memorable part of the evening was the team and Athletic Director singing Lean on Me in the locker room.

This year was a huge success for the Spartans who outperformed all pre-season metrics. Head Coach Brent Brennan inherited a young and depleted team that went 8-29 in the first three seasons. The culture is now that of winning expectations. Even on plays that did not result in penalties, you see Coach Brennan reinforcing discipline and scheme on the sidelines.

In addition, much credit is due to Ben Thienes, Director of Football Operations and Alonzo Carter, Recruiting Coordinator and Running Back Coach Alonzo Carter. The Spartans are now set to be fierce rivals to all that enter Sparta.