2002 Statistics

written by Jared Green

The Spartans offense begins with senior quarterback Scott Rislov. In his first season with the team after a year at North Dakota and a year at Ellsworth College in Idaho, Rislov set five school passing records. He was 24th in the nation in total offense and 30th in passing efficiency, and threw 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Rislov's most impressive performance came against eventual national champion Ohio State. Although the Spartans lost the game, Rislov completed 36 of his 44 passes, a school-record 81.8 completion percentage. The 6-1, 214-pound signal-caller set school season records for pass attempts (415), completions (243) and passing yards (3,251). With three of his top four receivers back, Rislov could put up even more impressive numbers as the passing game is emphasized. The backup, Beau Pierce, is untested.

Rislov will be throwing to a battle-tested group of wide receivers, a necessity in the high-scoring WAC. Jamall Broussard led the team with 62 catches last season for 681 yards and 5 touchdowns. Broussard, who played a season at Texas Tech before transferring to SJSU, is small (5-9) but durable and is fearless going over the middle. Broussard's younger brother, John, will be a freshman on the squad. Another Texan, Kendrick Starling, had 49 receptions for 603 yards and 5 scores last season. Starling should be a big-play threat this season as he gets a chance at full-time action.

Tuati Wooden (35, 539, 2) should take over the third receiver role. Other candidates include Rufus Skillern, James Jones and Clarence Cunningham.

Tight end is a blank spot for the Spartans. Courtney Anderson is the most impressive returnee, but newcomer Leon Pinky, a former Tennessee signee, will push hard for the starting spot.

The Spartans have four returning starters on the offensive line, a good sign for Rislov's health. Guards Justin Arrington and Joseph Hayes will flank center LaMons Walker, while Jeff Gordon will man the left tackle spot. Hayes has been named as one of 36 players on the Outland Trophy watch list. The battle on the line will be to replace Tim Provost, an NFL draftee, at right tackle. Kevin Israel had three starts at guard last season, while Reggie Candler and Osmar Staples both were tackle reserves.

The Spartans averaged just 112 yards per game on the ground last season as they moved more in line with the other high-flyers in the WAC. San Jose State is apparently the official refuge for miniature tailbacks. With 5-6 Deonce Whitaker moved on the Canadian Football League, 5-5 Lamar Ferguson took over as the main ball-carrier. Ferguson was productive, with a team-high 634 yards and 8 touchdowns, but ended the season with a knee injury that kept him out of spring practice.

The job is wide open going into the fall, with Lance Martin and Damarcus Ingram looking to take over. Both were excellent in limited action, with Martin carrying 41 times for 6.1 yards per carry and Ingram 36 times for 5.8 yards per carry. Martin and Ingram are both considerably bigger than Ferguson, so a situational rotation is a possibility. The team's emphasis on the passing game means the backs are less likely to pile up yardage. If the Spartans need a true power back, fullback Ezekiel Staples is capable of moving to tailback for occasional duty.

written by Jared Green

While the SJSU offense isn't likely to change much, the defense needs a major overhaul. Last season's high-risk, high-reward style resulted in 38 turnovers, fourth in the nation, but the rewards didn't outweigh the risks. The Spartans surrendered nearly 500 yards per game, 115th in Division I, including 192.9 rushing yards per game. Opponents scored at least 30 points in nine of their 13 games, unimpressive even in the all-offense WAC.

One spot that doesn't need a change is defensive end Phillip Perry. Perry led the team with 7 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, and he also forced 7 fumbles, seventh in the nation. A former linebacker, the 6-2, 254-pound Perry is an edge rusher who should command double-teams from most opponents. That should allow the tackles to concentrate on stopping the run. Steve Nash returns at one interior spot, while the other will be a battle among five candidates, so depth shouldn't be a problem. The other end will likely be a rotation with Tony Ficklin, another former linebacker, and JUCO transfers Michael Hodges and Andrew PaoPao competing for time.

Onyeka Ossai and Paul Okumu are returning starters at linebacker. Ossai is undersized (217 pounds), while Okumu will play in the middle after being granted a rare sixth year of eligibility. Michael Smith and Mike Liranzo were backups last season and are the leading candidates for the third starting position, but sophomore Jemonte Cox is making a push after being a standout on special teams last year. Oscar Rigg is a wildcard after playing tailback last season.

Another former running back, sophomore Trestin George, could be the key to the Spartan secondary. George split time between offense and defense last season but will play exclusively at cornerback this year, and he has the potential to be a shutdown corner. Melvin Cook, the only returning starter at the position, was moved to safety during spring practice, so both spots are wide open. Assuming George claims one of them and Cook stays at safety, Malcolm Thompson and Quincy Washington will compete for the other. Jerrell Hardy, a JUCO transfer, could also be in the mix.

Unlike the cornerbacks, the safeties are set. Gerald Jones was outstanding last season, leading the team with 8 interceptions and recording 86 tackles. Josh Powell had the same number of tackles, so the run support from the secondary should be sufficient. Cook's move is hard to understand with both starters returning, unless the Spartans are counting on him as an oft-used nickel back.

DE Philip Perry