What Is 2017 San Jose State Spartans football

Overview

The 2017 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was a challenging year for the program, marked by a transition in leadership and significant on-field struggles.

Under first-year head coach Brent Brennan, the Spartans finished with a record of 1–11, their worst since a 1–12 season in 2010. The team struggled both offensively and defensively, ranking near the bottom nationally in multiple statistical categories.

• Record: The Spartans finished the season with a 1–11 overall record and 1–7 in Mountain West Conference play, placing last in the West Division.
• Head coach:Brent Brennan took over as head coach in December 2016, marking his first season leading the program after serving as offensive coordinator at Arizona.
• Home stadium: The team played its home games at CEFCU Stadium (formerly Spartan Stadium), a 30,456-seat venue located on the university's campus in San Jose, California.
• Only win: Their sole victory came on October 21, 2017, when they defeated UNLV 22–19 in overtime, snapping a 12-game losing streak.
• Offensive performance: The Spartans averaged just 17.1 points per game, ranking 125th out of 130 FBS teams, highlighting major offensive inefficiencies.

How It Works

The 2017 season was defined by structural changes in coaching, player development, and strategic reorganization as the program aimed to rebuild competitiveness.

• Transition to Brennan Era: After the departure of Danny Langsdorf and Chuck Martin, Brent Brennan implemented a new offensive scheme focused on a pro-style attack, though results were limited.
• Quarterback play:Josh Love started all 12 games, throwing for 2,546 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, showing flashes of potential despite poor protection.
• Defensive struggles: The defense allowed an average of 40.8 points per game, worst in the nation, and gave up over 500 yards per game in total defense.
• Special teams: Kicker Matthew Mercurio made 10 of 15 field goals, while punt and kick coverage ranked in the bottom third nationally.
• Recruiting impact: Brennan’s first full recruiting class signed in February 2017 included 23 new players, many expected to contribute in future seasons.
• Schedule difficulty: The Spartans faced a tough slate, including games against Stanford, Arizona State, and multiple ranked Mountain West teams like Boise State.

Comparison at a Glance

Compared to other Mountain West teams in 2017, San Jose State lagged significantly in performance and efficiency metrics.

The table illustrates a stark contrast between San Jose State and its conference peers. While teams like Boise State and Fresno State competed for conference titles, the Spartans were overmatched week after week, often losing by 20+ points. The data underscores the rebuilding phase the program was entering under new leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season, while disappointing, laid the foundation for future improvements under Brent Brennan, who emphasized culture change and long-term development.

• The season highlighted the need for stronger recruiting and player retention, especially on the offensive line and in the secondary.
• Brennan’s focus on discipline and accountability began reshaping team culture, even if on-field results were poor.
• Josh Love’s development as a young quarterback provided a building block for future offensive growth.
• The low point of 2017 served as a catalyst for administrative support and investment in the football program.
• It underscored the competitive gap between Power Five and Group of Five programs, especially in player development.
• By 2020, the Spartans would improve to 7–1, showing that the 2017 season was a critical low before a turnaround.

Ultimately, the 2017 campaign is remembered not for wins, but as a pivotal year in the Spartans' journey toward competitiveness in the Mountain West Conference.