San José State’s defense was a major issue to start the season, but the unit has slowly become the team’s biggest strength during the Spartans’ three-game winning streak.
The Spartans held Hawaiʻi to 198 yards of total offense and no points during Saturday’s 35-0 road win.
“The energy is always there from the defense,” said SJSU junior cornerback Kenyon Reed who had a game-high six tackles to go along with a sack.
In the first six games of the season, Spartan opponents averaged 33 points a game. Through those six games, SJSU had the second-worst rush defense in the country as they gave up over 230 rushing yards per game.
During the Spartans’ last three wins, opponents are averaging just 15 points per game and 284 yards of total offense. SJSU’s rushing defense has still struggled over the last three weeks, but the Spartans have forced seven turnovers in the last three games.
Head coach Brent Brennan has credited the improvement of the defensive line as to why SJSU’s defense has improved.
“I think it took a little while for that young defensive front to get settled in and get used to the game plan,” Brennan said. “But you can see the strides they are making. When we play complementary football, we’re a really good football team.”
Sophomore linebacker Jordan Pollard has come into his own during the team’s winning streak. He’s totaled 26 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble over the last four games.
The Spartans will need their defense to continue to wreak havoc on opposing offenses for the team’s final three games.
After the bye week, SJSU is scheduled to host Fresno State (7-1, 3-1 MWC), San Diego State (3-5, 1-3 MWC) before finishing the season on the road against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (6-2, 3-1 MWC).
Fresno State and UNLV are both in the top half of the conference in total offense. Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene has led the Bulldogs near the top of the Mountain West Conference and is in the running for MWC Player of the Year.
Reed said he believes SJSU’s defense has all the tools to finish the season strong.
“I feel like our team is on a roll right now with the last three wins,” Reed said. “I feel like the momentum we have right now is good. I think I speak for all of us who are just trying to build on that.”
