California Bowl Teams Match Up Well

It’s the big-play offense of San Jose State against the stingy defense of Central Michigan when the teams meet in today’s California Bowl.

The Spartans (8-2-1) averaged 35.2 points (12th best in the nation), but the Chippewas (8-2-1) led the nation in scoring defense, giving up 8.9 points per game.

“Most of our wins were in dominating fashion,” San Jose State Coach Terry Shea said. “It just seems like when we needed the big play, when we needed the turnaround and the momentum, we were able to come up with the big play at the right time.”

The offense is led by Ralph Martini, who passed for 2,928 yards, and Sheldon Canley, who has 1,248 yards rushing and 386 yards receiving. The Chippewas counter with Jeff Bender (1,978 passing yards) and tailback Billy Smith (1,047 yards).

But Central Michigan relies on its defense, which includes seven seniors, led by free safety David Johnson.

“Our style of football is very disciplined,” Chippewa Coach Herb Deromedi said. “It has to do with where you’ve got to be, what you’ve got to take away.”

Both teams came close to finishing with even better records. Kentucky beat Central Michigan, 20-17, in a game that turned on a blocked kick. San Jose State lost, 20-17, to Rose Bowl-bound Washington and 35-34 to Copper Bowl-bound California after the Spartans missed a two-point conversion attempt.

The game between the Mid-American champions and Big West winners is in its 10th year, with the Big West holding a 5-4 lead.