Before the start of the season, San José State head coach Brent Brennan emphasized the need for a more efficient running game.
“I’m hopeful that we’re more effective running the ball than we were a year ago,” Brennan said during an Aug. 22 press conference.
In SJSU’s first two games of the season against No. 6 USC and No. 16 Oregon State, the running game was inconsistent, but after the Spartans 59-3 win over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Saturday, SJSU may have unlocked the run game that Brennan has been hoping for.
Spartan ball carriers ran for 267 yards on 43 attempts while scoring 4 rushing touchdowns. Senior running back Kairee Robinson rushed for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns while junior running back Quali Conley rushed for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns.
“I think we’re gonna be a big help to the offense for sure,” Robinson said after SJSU’s win over Cal Poly on Saturday. “I feel like [Quali and I] bring a lot of energy and versatility to the game for sure.”
Robinson missed SJSU’s last game against Oregon State due to injury. His absence showed as the Spartans only rushed for 56 yards on 22 attempts in a 42-17 loss to the Beavers.
The dynamic of the offense changed completely against Cal Poly on Saturday. Robinson started the game as a first and second down back on mostly outside zone runs and sweeps to the outside while Conley the short yardage, between the tackles back.
The duo found success early in the game with Conley scoring a pair of 10-yard rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. Robinson owned the second half, scoring his two touchdowns in back-to-back possessions.
“It was great to have Kairee back,” Brennan said after Saturday’s win. “He’s a player that has been an awesome player for us for a really long time. He’s a leader.”
Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro rushed for 34 yards on 11 attempts which included a 15-yard QB-designed run for a touchdown. Junior wide receiver Isaac Jernagin had the longest run of the game, taking a wide receiver end around for 45 yards down the field.
“When the run game is working, it opens up the pass,” Cordeiro said. “Linebackers start coming in, safeties start coming in with their eyes. It’s always good when the running backs are scoring touchdowns.”
SJSU will need the run game in its upcoming games as the Spartans will face stingier defenses going forward. The Spartans’ next game will be against the University of Toledo who’s pass defense held Texas Southern University to just 97 yards passing.
“We’re playing the defending [Mid-American Conference] champions,” Brennan said. “They’re super well coached and playing there in the glass bowl is just a hard place to play. It’s just a great environment. So it’s just a huge, incredible challenge facing us.”
