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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 4-8 (3-5) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Dave Baldwin Returning starters: 12 (offense 5, defense 6) Outlook Consecutive four-win seasons don't usually send fans scurrying to buy season tickets, and as a result, only a faithful core continues to show up at Spartan Stadium, waiting for the first winning season since 1992. Dave Baldwin's team has been called a work in progress, but the advances in his first two seasons have been hard to measure. It usually takes until midseason for any coach to get stomach pains, but for Baldwin, this year they came early. The week before freshmen were scheduled to report he underwent an emergency appendectomy. The procedure was a success, but doctors may want to keep anesthesia handy. San Jose State starts the year with visits to LSU and Colorado before returning home to face regional rival St. Mary's, a Division I-AA program. The Spartans need three wins for the 400th in school history. They'll celebrate that milestone, but little else. OffenseThe 1999 season marks the first time in six years that the starting quarterback is in place for the start of fall drills. Fifth-year senior Chris Kasteler, the starting quarterback the last half of the 1998 season, outdueled sophomore Marcus Arroyo for the job last spring. As a result, the plan to emphasize the passing game could finally take shape. Kasteler (6-2, 199) threw for 1,505 yards and 12 touchdowns -- those numbers are expected to increase drastically. Despite the loss of two-time all WAC receiver Oliver Newell, the "fastbreak offense" should flourish with five wide receivers and a pair of sure-handed tight ends. The emergence of Casey Le Blanc (5-10, 191), the return of a healthy Eric Ruhle and the move by Donte Scarbrough from tailback should give the Spartans a defense-stretching group. The five returning receivers accounted for 89 of the team's 191 receptions in 1998. Even though Spartans will look to throw with abandon, the play of tailback Deonce Whitaker will mandate that they focus on running the ball as well. The diminutive 5-6, 180-pound sophomore played in all 12 games last year, topping the 100-yard mark three times, most notably in a 176-yard, 29-carry effort against Fresno State. Converted linebacker Patrick Battle (5-11, 225) will provide an occasional change of pace. Just one member on the line qualifies as an experienced player. Chris Fe'esago began '98 as the starting left guard, but after an injury finished the season at right tackle. After spending much of the spring at right tackle, Fe'esago (6-3, 324) is projected to start the year at left tackle. Center Bruno Contreras (6-2, 293) and guard Jose Gomez are the only other linemen with any major college experience. Coaches are hoping that JC all-American Jeremy Dominguez, the biggest recruit in school history at 340 pounds, can make an impact. It's a good sign if: A collection of receivers gives the offense much-needed weaponry downfield.It's a bad sign if: An unsettled offensive line proves to be an Achilles' heel. Defense The Spartans, who finished 111th among 112 teams in NCAA rush defense, will move to a new 4-3 "flex" formation in lieu of the former 3-4. The move is designed to staunch the flow that saw San Jose State allow an average of 259.2 yards per game rushing. While they tinker with the alignment to get more players up to the line, coaches can feel confident about the roster at linebacker. Josh Parry (and Jeff Wucinich were starters last year they return to play in the middle and outside, respectively on the team in total tackles. Ron-Jon Acuna is the other outside linebacker. Samson Sherrod (6-4, 253) moved from outside linebacker to defensive end and led the team in sacks last year with seven. Abdul-Salam Noah is back for his third season starting at nose tackle. End James Ditch (6-4, 260) and tackle Steve Kapphahn top the depth chart at the other two line positions. The secondary is not so set. Edgar Nava, who was lost for the season with a knee injury in October, is back after dropping 30 pounds. If his knee is strong, expect him to claim a starting spot. Chris Lawson, who played primarily as a nickel back last year, has the most experience. Four starters must be found from a group that includes Lawson, Travis Seaton, Kenny Sanchez, redshirt freshman Carlos Koustas, Dorae Lewis and Solomon Wilson. It's a good sign if: Nava's surgically repaired knee holds up.It's a bad sign if:Four adequate starters can't be found in the secondary. Special Teams Tim Morgan, who averaged 37.0 yards per punt, improved steadily during 1998. He returns as the team's top punter and will battle redshirt freshman Nick Gilliam for placekicking duties. -- John Crowley |
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