Spartans report: Notes, quotes

March 26, 2008
The Sports Xchange

Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel · Inside slant

SPRING OBJECTIVES
In addition to replacing quarterback Adam Tafralis, San Jose State's all-time leader in passing yards and total offense, the team must develop a rushing attack after being derailed by injuries last season. The Spartans ranked 112th among 119 teams nationally last fall at 83.8 yards per game and their nine rushing touchdowns were the fewest in the WAC.

BUILDING BLOCKS
Wideouts Kevin Jurovich and David Richmond were one of the top receiving tandems in the lower 48 with a combined 140 catches for 2,035 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007. Cornerback Christopher Owens led the conference and ranked 10th nationally with six picks. During the first spring scrimmage, safety Duke Ihenacho returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

SCHEDULE SITUATION
With three September road games at Nebraska, Stanford and Hawaii, the Spartans could be 1-4 by the time they host Utah State for homecoming on Oct. 11. At least San Jose State gets Boise State and Fresno State -- teams they lost to by a combined 72-7 last year -- at Spartan Stadium, where they have won 12 of their last 14 games.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"Obviously our defense is way ahead of our offense. If that's not true right now, you're in bad shape. For every team in the country, your defense should be ahead of the offense early in spring practice. We have a much more experienced defense. They're really flying around." -- San Jose State head coach Dick Tomey.