Injuries and lack
of interest in the program
hinder San Jose State

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

San Jose State can't hang with the big boys and might not survive much longer because of it.

Like a lot of small-market teams in Division I football, the Spartans are struggling to keep their department books balanced.

Their football team hasn't been competitive in the Western Athletic Conference, much less against Bay Area rivals California and Stanford.

San Jose State also hasn't had a winning season since 1992, when it was a member of the Big West Conference, and hasn't been to a bowl game in seven years, leaving football fans disinterested in the program.

Last year, San Jose State finished last in the league in attendance, averaging 12,135 spectators a game. First-year head coach Dave Baldwin generated some interest in the local community last spring, but the Spartans are averaging only 16,713 this season, and would be pleased to have 15,000 in the house for Saturday's final home game with the University of Hawaii.

A slow start for the 2-7 Spartans didn't help. The Spartans dropped their first five games by a combined score of 195-64. They broke out of the tailspin with wins over Texas-El Paso and Air Force, only to lose the last two to Fresno State and San Diego State, 101-33.

Injuries and turnovers have played a major role in San Jose State's recent demise. The Spartans have committed 32 turnovers this season, leading to 132 points.

They also have seven players with serious injuries, including Josh Parry, their third-leading tackler. The inside linebacker sprained a knee at San Diego State last weekend and is out for the Hawaii game.

So are cornerbacks Ghalee Wadood (bruised ribs) and Omarr Smith (turf toe). Smith has 28 tackles, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions this season.

Wadood has 31 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception. Baldwin said neither player will be ready Saturday, forcing him to shift safety Wardell Crutchfield to cornerback. Fellow defensive back Travis Seaton is slowed with an ankle sprain.

Earlier this year, the Spartans lost nose guards Jason Mitchell (sprained knee) and Jerald Perry (foot fracture), and running back James Hodgins (broken leg) and receiver Eric Ruhle (sprained knee) to season-ending injuries.

"Injuries have forced us to do a lot of mixing and matching this season," Baldwin said yesterday. "This week, we're going to have to shift guys in our secondary to get the four healthiest players on the field."

Baldwin also has struggled to find the right quarterback for what he calls his fast-break offense. He said two weeks ago that until his staff lands a big-time quarterback, the Spartans will continue their losing ways.

That didn't sit well with current signal-callers Brian Vye and Dan O'Dell. Both played in last weekend's 48-21 loss at San Diego State.

O'Dell will start against the Rainbows. He has completed 61 of 133 passes for 577 yards and four touchdowns. He also has thrown 10 interceptions. Should he struggle, Baldwin can bring in Vye, who is 77 of 168 for 1,006 yards with five touchdowns. He has thrown six interceptions.

"To beat Hawaii, we're going to have to hang onto the football and not create turnovers for ourselves," Baldwin said. "If we can play catch against their man defense, we can be in the game.

"We match up well with Hawaii statistically on paper. I think our spirits are still high and our guys would like to create a positive atmosphere with wins in our last two games.

"We're still building this program for the future. Our seniors know that and they feel positive about it. I don't think anybody is hanging their head here because we can still make positive strides."

For that to happen, the Spartans must do a better job of controlling the run and scoring points. San Jose State is 15th in the conference and 94th in the nation in rushing defense, giving up 198.3 yards a game.

They are 101st in scoring defense, yielding 35.1 points a game, and 105th in scoring offense with 14.7 points a game.

Running back Carlos Meeks is the leading rusher with 322 yards and a touchdown. The team's strength is at wide receiver where Newell Oliver has 44 receptions for 595 yards and five TDs. Waking Bailey and Gabe Pyne have combined for 60 catches for 647 yards.

"This should be a pretty good matchup," Baldwin said. "I think we're similar. Both teams are struggling a little bit. But this is our seniors' last home game and we're excited about it."

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