The San José State University football team took another step to prepare for its 2020 Mountain West season opener with Air Force on October 17 adding game referees to its 2.5-hour practice session inside CEFCU Stadium.
Whistles and rules education were part of the practice that started in the late afternoon and lasted into the early evening. Players and coaches learned about the new pregame protocols, proper and improper substitutions, and safety measures.
SENSE OF URGENCY
The sight of game officials to the Spartans' practice adds to the sense of urgency with the first game one week away.
"We are running wild. Everybody keeps talking about unprecedented times and that's exactly what we're in the middle of (right now). We're playing an excellent football team (in Air Force). They run a very unique scheme. They've been practicing for three months. So, we know they're going to be ready," said San Jose State University football head coach Brent Brennan.
"And, so, there is a huge sense of urgency for us to prepare everything we can, getting as much work as we can get, as much film as we can get, and make sure we give ourselves a chance to be prepared for this battle," the fourth-year head coach assessed.
CREATIVITY CONTINUES
Ever mindful of Santa Clara County's COVID-19 protocols, projectors and projection screens surround the perimeter of the Simpkins Stadium Center, the hub of San Jose State University football operations. In fact, the last two days, team meetings were conducted outside the CEFCU Stadium north gate and in front of the athletics department's Powerhouse Kitchen, a 72-foot food truck billed as the largest food truck in the country. The Spartans weren't looking for a meal, but were intent on what was projected on the big screen atop the stationary trailer prior to practice. Think of it as an early evening drive-in.
"Everything we're doing is based on being compliant with the regulations from our county. We're meeting outside, social distancing and wearing masks. We're using the powerhouse kitchen and its big jumbotron for special teams meetings and some of our position meetings. We're setting up other inflatable screens all over our facility. We know we have space and we can still watch film and get the work done we need to get done," said Brennan, who doesn't recall testing his coaching creativity to this extent.
"The truth is no one in the world has ever had anything like this. Football is just another part of everybody dealing with COVID. And, we're doing the same, I'm really proud of our team. I think they've done an incredible job embracing the challenge of how we meet, how we practice, how, howe wear our masks, how we interact, how we test, all that stuff."
RACE FOR CHANGE
The Spartans will have October 18 as a day away from the practice field, but they will be actively involved in a Race for Change, a fundraiser to benefit the African American Community Service Agency (AACSA) headquartered in downtown San Jose. Founded in 1978, the AACSA provides programs and service to strengthen African American identity, culture, values, and traditions.
"Our women's basketball team got the ball rolling here. They organized it and our players are really excited to be a part of it and show their support," Brennan said.
"I think any time young people have a chance to think through their process and come together with something that's well thought out and well planned, it gives them a chance to execute something that can be powerful."
Linebacker Christian Webb, now in his third season as a Spartan, was an executive assistant to the executive director prior to the football season.
GAME WEEK
San Jose State returns to the practice, Monday, October 19, in preparation for the Air Force game. FS1 will provide the national television coverage beginning Saturday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m. Though no spectators will be allowed inside CEFCU Stadium, the opportunity to place a cardboard cutout in the stadium is a meaningful option. Contact Director of Annual Giving Nate Olson at 408-924-1250 or nate.olson@sjsu.edu for more information.