SAN JOSE STATE FOOTBALL
San Jose State Football Sports New Look For 2010

With a demanding nonconference schedule in the books, the San Jose State University football team can turn its attention to a run at the 2010 Western Athletic Conference championship. While the first five games of the season posed unique challenges, which started with preseason No. 1 Alabama, the Spartans' start of WAC play is going to be tough, too.

Nevada on the road and defending WAC champion Boise State and Fresno State at home are the Spartans' first three conference opponents. The Wolf Pack, Broncos and Bulldogs are the top three teams in the conference's preseason coaches' poll.

Don't count out San Jose State. The Spartans went through their most rigorous conditioning program in years to prepare for the 13-game season in 2010. They had to, since there would be no break until the week of Nov. 6. Then, after all that, four more games remain on the regular-season schedule.

San Jose State will be a much more experienced squad by midseason. Many of the 2010 recruiting class that found their way into the lineup will have valuable game experience accumulated. New head coach Mike MacIntyre employed a full-time recruiting plan in the state of California and it is paying off with at least 15 of the 27 signees in major roles.

Still, MacIntyre plans to rely on a high level of senior leadership to pave the way for the relatively young Spartans. Safety Duke Ihenacho is back and wants to perform at a first-team all-conference level or higher for the third year in a row. Defensive end Mohamad Marah and safety Dominique Hunsucker had a taste of post-season bowl festivities as freshmen in 2006, when San Jose State won the inaugural New Mexico Bowl.

The new Spartans head coach gave Jordan La Secla, a fifth-year senior, the nod at quarterback to start the season. La Secla's experience at the helm, where he completed 59.9 percent of his passes and started in eight games a season ago, helped tip the scales of a very even battle with Matt Faulkner, a transfer from Mount San Antonio College.

By conference play in mid-October, the Spartans hope offensive left tackle Fred Koloto is healthy and ready to go. A starter for three seasons, Koloto, injured in preseason camp, will bolster an offensive line with seniors Isaac Leatiota and Ailao Eliapo at guards and Robbie Reed, a third senior, at center.

With an experienced offensive line in front, the Spartans want to find their niche with a power football attack that emphasizes running the football. Running backs Lamon Muldrow, Brandon Rutley, David Freeman and Ben Thompson cover all four classes with four different running styles.

San Jose State will also find a way to throw the football. The four running backs are capable pass catchers, but senior Jalal Beauchman, junior Josh Harrison and freshmen Noel Grigsby, Kyle Nunn and Chandler Jones are all on the radar screen. Tight end Ryan Otten may blossom even more from a breakout 2010 spring practice period. The Spartans will use him every way possible to take advantage of his size and skill.

The blend of senior leadership, past playing experience and relative youth could be a winning formula for MacIntyre as he heads into the WAC portion of the schedule. Take a trip out to Spartan Stadium in October or November and find out.