Aug. 16, 2014
Quarterbacks Blake Jurich and Joe Gray each completed 11 passes and led the offense on three scoring drives during the second and final San José State football preseason scrimmage.
Jurich was the first quarterback to see action during the 90-play scrimmage inside Spartan Stadium. The fifth-year senior directed the Spartans to a pair of field goals and a touchdown drive capped with a 4-yard scoring pass to running back Jarrod Lawson. Jurich finished the scrimmage 11-of-19 for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Gray connected with running back Brandon Monroe out of the backfield for a 48-yard touchdown play, the longest play from scrimmage by the offense. The fourth-year junior was 11-of-18 for 124 yards and a touchdown.
"We had a lot of situations. I love the two-minute, having no timeouts, having to get off the last play. That's all good stuff. Overall, it was a good scrimmage," said head coach Ron Caragher.
"Being in my position, you see one side make a play, you always go the other side, `Why are we giving up that play?' There's never a perfect play from my perspective.
"I'm encouraged. The effort was good. We got a lot of good special teams work in from the pun and field goal situations. I think we developed some depth and saw some guys step up today in a scrimmage situation."
The Spartans head coach knows he has the decision to make regarding several starting roles for the August 28 opener with North Dakota, but quarterback seems to be the one most on people's minds.
"I thought they both played good. I think the key is when I look back - it will be missed opportunities are a big part, too, that don't show up in the statistics. All in all, we moved the ball, moved the chains and got ourselves in (for a score). That was important from my standpoint and the team's standpoint to have confidence in who their starter (at quarterback) will be," Caragher said. He expressed he has a feel from a big picture standpoint who the starter might be and plans to use the game film to substantiate his position.
"Whomever the starter will be, the other is one play away from going in the game. That's how I look at it... The other guy always has to be in the game plan, because you don't know when his number will be called."
Lawson led all rushers with 117 yards on just nine carries. The sophomore broke off runs of 47 and 31 yards. Monroe was another Spartan running back with a pair of carries of 10 or more yards to go along with his 48-yard scoring reception. Monroe finished with five carries for 32 yards.
The punters and kickers had plenty to show during the scrimmage. Austin Lopez converted three field goals and both extra-point tries going 5-for-5 on the day. Freshman Michael Carrizosa had the best punting average of 36.7 yards per punt, missed field goals of 50 and 34 yards and converted 1-of-2 PATs.
The defense did get credit for seven quarterback sacks. Defensive end Cedric Lousi, a starter as a freshman in 2010 prior to going on a church mission after the 2011 season, was credited with two. Ends Eugene Taylor and Tony Popovich had one each.
"It's been very refreshing. I can't tell you the feeling I felt stepping back on to the field again after being away for 2.5 years. That first snap, I was excited and took it as a real game. I'm excited to see what's going to happen this year," said Lousi, who was assigned to the state of Texas for his missionary duties.
"I love the defensive line. We're a lot closer than when we were here two years ago. I loved that defensive line, but there is a strong bond and brotherly love and you can tell by the way we play."
The Spartans resume practice, Monday, August 18, with single afternoon practices through August 22.
San José State opens the 2014 season hosting the University of North Dakota, Thursday, August 28, in Spartan Stadium. Game time is 7:00 p.m. for the non-conference game. ESPN3 will broadcast the game. Tickets are available by calling 408-924-SJTX or visiting www.sjsuspartans.com.
Scoring Summary
Austin Lopez, 23-yard field goal
Brandon Monroe, 48-yard pass from Joe Gray (Austin Lopez kick)
Tyler Ervin, 28-yard pass from Malik Watson (Michael Carrizosa kick failed)
Austin Lopez, 23-yard field goal
Austin Lopez, 30-yard field goal
Chris Dadson, 2-yard run (Michael Carrizosa kick)
Jarrod Lawson, 4-yard pass from Blake Jurich (Austin Lopez kick)
Rushing (running backs only)
Jarrod Lawson, 9-117; Limihai Hifo, 5-38; Brandon Monroe, 5-32; Thomas Tucker, 4-6; Ray Lomas, IV, 3-3; Chris Dadson, 1-2, 1 TD; Osirius Burke, 3-1; Alvin Jelks, 1-1; Steven Rogers, 1-0; Darrion Hancock, 1-(-2).
Passing
Blake Jurich, 11-19-0-130-1 TD; Joe Gray, 11-18-0-124-1 TD; Malik Watson, 2-2-0-26, 0 TDs; Ian Fieber, 2-4-0-59, 0 TDs; Mitch Ravizza, 1-2-0-2, 0 TDs.
Receiving
Tyler Winston, 5-33; Andrew Vollert, 4-50; Tyler Ervin, 4-47-1 TD; Hansell Wilson, 2-51; Daniel Bradbury, 2-12; Jarrod Lawson, 2-2, 1 TD; Brandon Monroe, 1-48-1 TD; Thomas Tucker, 1-39; Stephan Daniels, 1-33; Tim Crawley, 1-6; Sam Tomlitz, 1-5; Jourdan Soares, 1-4; Tre Hartley, 1-2; Jordan Thiel, 1-(-3).
Punting
Michael Carrizosa, 4-36.7 avg.; Richard Cole, 4-31.7 avg.; Zach Steinberg, 5-29.8 avg.
Field Goals
Austin Lopez, 23, good; 23, good; 30, good. Michael Carrizosa, 50 no good; 34, no good.
Quarterback Sacks
Cedric Lousi, 2; Eugene Taylor, 1, Tony Popovich, 1; Team, 3.