Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from the San Jose State’s 27-16 win over Georgia State.
San Jose State
— Every starter on San Jose State’s offensive line finished with a positive run blocking grade, led by RT Nate Velichko (+2.4 run blocking, +3.0 overall). QB Kenny Potter and HB Tyler Ervin (-1.1) were the primary ball carriers, and each forced five missed tackles. Potter’s 42-yard touchdown scramble gave the Spartans the lead in the fourth quarter, and they sealed the win with an 11-play drive that consisted of 10 straight runs and a touchdown pass off of play action.
— QB Kenny Potter (-1.3) made more of an impact with his legs than his arm in this game, earning a +0.5 rushing grade and a -2.0 passing grade. Potter was pressured on 14 of his 27 dropbacks (six blitzes), and finished with a -2.5 grade on those plays. San Jose State relied on their rushing attack on offense in this game, and Potter threw deep (20+ yards) just three times.
— The Spartans’ defense was dominant against the run in this game, finishing with a +9.4 team grade. LB Christian Tago (+5.0) led the team with seven stops, and DT Nick Oreglia earned a team-best +3.4 run defense grade. Tago also had a great day in pass coverage (+2.1), allowing two of four targets to be completed for just seven yards.
Top Performers:
DT Nick Oreglia (+5.1)
LB Christian Tago (+5.0)
RT Nate Velichko (+3.0)
DT Travis Miller (+2.4)
CB Jimmy Pruitt (+1.9)
Georgia State
— QB Nick Arbuckle (-2.7) threw deep (20+ yards) on 13 of his 29 pass attempts. While the deep throws produced a 38-yard touchdown pass to WR Donovan Harden (-0.1), Arbuckle finished 3-13 for 91 yards, and also threw an interception. San Jose State pass blitzed just seven times, but were successful when they did; Arbuckle was sacked twice and earned a -2.5 grade on those plays.
— The Panthers’ linebackers struggled in run defense, but the secondary had three players that earned green grades in that category. SS Tarris Batiste (+0.9) earned positive grades in run defense, pass rushing and coverage (0-2, 2 PDs) before he was ejected for targeting in the 4th quarter. FS Bobby Baker (+1.2) led the secondary with a +1.4 run defense grade, and added three hurries as a pass rusher.
— Georgia State’s rushing offense was a complete nonfactor in this game. The team gained a total of 45 rushing yards on their 16 attempts, fumbled once and forced just one missed tackle. Starting tackles Sebastian Willer (-3.4) and Taylor Evans (-0.6) were overmatched by San Jose State’s strong front seven, especially against the run.
Top Performers:
CB Alonzo McGee (+2.2)
CB Jerome Smith (+1.7)
WR Ari Werts (+1.4)
OLB Mackendy Cheridor (+1.3)
FS Bobby Baker (+1.2)
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