09-02-2012, 09:10 AM
Another comparison: This game compared with the last time we played SJSU without Luck, in 2008.
The last time we played SJSU without Luck, in 2008, it was NOT our opening game. In fact we had already played 3 games, beating Oregon State and losing to Arizona State and TCU.
2008
Pritchard threw 13 of 28 with 1 interception and 0 touchdowns for 159 yards, taking 1 sack
Gerhart rushed 22 times for 152 yards, averaging 6.7 ypc
We were 6/14 on third down conversions.
We had 0 fumbles and 0 interceptions, and 5 penalties for 53 yards.
We had 363 yards of total offense.
We lost time of possession 27 to 33
SJSU led 10-0 until we ground out a victory that was not assured until we scored 10 points in the last four minutes of the game.
2012
Nunes threw 15 of 26 with 0 interceptions and 1 touchdown for 125 yards, taking 1 sack
Taylor rushed 26 times for 122 yards, averaging 4.5 ypc
We were 2/12 on third down conversions.
We lost 0 fumbles and 0 interceptions, and had 1 penalty for 5 yards.
We had 280 yards of total offense.
We won time of possession by a minute.
SJSU tied the game with 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and kept the game in doubt until we intercepted with a minute left in the game.
In 2012 we had fewer penalties, better time of possession, about equal quarterback play, but less effective running which led to a much worse performance on third down conversions. The two games were somewhat similar in several ways, including the fact they they were not really decided until late.
But in 2008 we were in the 4th game of the season. By that measure we are as good in our first game as we were then in our 4th. I hope that means we are ahead of the 2008 pace. We'd better be. A 5-7 season would be a major disappointment after what this program has accomplished the last few years.
The last time we played SJSU without Luck, in 2008, it was NOT our opening game. In fact we had already played 3 games, beating Oregon State and losing to Arizona State and TCU.
2008
Pritchard threw 13 of 28 with 1 interception and 0 touchdowns for 159 yards, taking 1 sack
Gerhart rushed 22 times for 152 yards, averaging 6.7 ypc
We were 6/14 on third down conversions.
We had 0 fumbles and 0 interceptions, and 5 penalties for 53 yards.
We had 363 yards of total offense.
We lost time of possession 27 to 33
SJSU led 10-0 until we ground out a victory that was not assured until we scored 10 points in the last four minutes of the game.
2012
Nunes threw 15 of 26 with 0 interceptions and 1 touchdown for 125 yards, taking 1 sack
Taylor rushed 26 times for 122 yards, averaging 4.5 ypc
We were 2/12 on third down conversions.
We lost 0 fumbles and 0 interceptions, and had 1 penalty for 5 yards.
We had 280 yards of total offense.
We won time of possession by a minute.
SJSU tied the game with 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and kept the game in doubt until we intercepted with a minute left in the game.
In 2012 we had fewer penalties, better time of possession, about equal quarterback play, but less effective running which led to a much worse performance on third down conversions. The two games were somewhat similar in several ways, including the fact they they were not really decided until late.
But in 2008 we were in the 4th game of the season. By that measure we are as good in our first game as we were then in our 4th. I hope that means we are ahead of the 2008 pace. We'd better be. A 5-7 season would be a major disappointment after what this program has accomplished the last few years.