Rested Spartans looking for 4-game win streak

Coming off their best performance of the year, best month in school history in 19 seasons, and a bye week, the San Jose State Spartans are shooting for their first four-game winning streak since 1987 when they host Utah State Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

"Our players played really well against San Diego State," San Jose State coach Dick Tomey said of the 31-10 victory over the Aztecs. "It was our best football game of the year in terms of the offense, defense, and special teams all playing well. We had a lot of great individual efforts. We continue to get better, and we must continue to improve."

The 21-point victory over the Aztecs was the Spartans' first over the Mountain West Conference school since 1975.

The Spartans, who are playing their fourth consecutive home game, tallied 418 yards — second-best of the season, quarterback Adam Tafralis completed 17 of 21 passes for 234 yards and two scores, and Dwight Lowery, who leads the nation in interceptions with seven, had two picks, bringing his total to five in the last two games.

The win capped a 3-1 month of September, and in the month the Spartans (3-1) included a win over Stanford — their first win over a Pac-10 school in since 2000, as well as a win over Div. I-AA Cal Poly for the first time since 1956.

A winning September has been a good omen for the Spartans. The last five times they won at least three games in the month they never lost more than three games in the year.

"He (Tomey) has done a marvelous job. They're playing well at home," said second-year Utah State football coach Brent Guy. "I think he's done one of the better jobs in his second year of retooling. I wish I could say that I have done a good job of retooling this football team and winning those games you've got to win in non-conference."

San Jose State went just 3-8 last year in Tomey's first season, but the attendance at home games went up from 6,479 (dead-last in the nation) to 12,506 last year, and through three homes games this year they are averaging 19,768 fans.

"Once everybody starts to realize these guys have a chance to have a good year, more people will start to pay attention," Tomey said. "We are excited about the atmosphere that has been created and the excitement that comes with it. It makes such a difference, and we would like to build on that. It's a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon."