FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — The San Jose State women’s volleyball team’s quest for perfection ended with its first loss of the season on Thursday night at Colorado State.
At least the Spartans were back on the floor. Because lately it's been cancellation after cancellation by their opponents for reasons that have not been specified.
“I walked up to (Colorado State coach) Emily (Kohan) and I was like, ‘Should I say thank you for playing us tonight?’” said Todd Kress, whose team had won nine straight to start the season before a three-set loss to the Rams. “I seriously meant that because, of course, we’re disappointed that we’re losing opportunities to play. But it’s not just us that are losing opportunities to play, it’s the people choosing not to play us. That’s very unfortunate when it comes to these young women that have earned the right to step on the court and play.”
The Spartans (9-1, 3-1 Mountain West) got an unexpected break in their schedule when Boise State forfeited a game on Sept. 28, one of four programs that have canceled on San Jose State in the last three weeks.
Utah State announced Wednesday it was forfeiting its Oct. 23 contest versus San Jose State. That was on the heels of Wyoming issuing a statement saying it would forfeit its game against the Spartans, who they were supposed to play Saturday in Laramie, Wyoming.
The spate of cancellations started Sept. 14, when Southern Utah didn’t take the floor against San Jose State, with the result listed as “canceled” on the conference’s website.
Political figures from Wyoming, Idaho and Utah have weighed in and suggested the forfeits centered around protecting women’s sports.
“We’re in a position where it appears that government and politics has kind of intertwined itself with college sports,” Kress said. “The one thing that I love about college sports, it’s always been a safe haven for me. That’s one area that government, I don’t think should be involved. And so it seems, or at least it appears, that some of those decisions are being made at levels to where they’re denying their student-athletes to play, which is then denying our student-athletes to play.”
San Jose State appeared rusty in its return to action for the first time in more than a week, losing 25-18, 25-20, 25-20.
“Athletes are creatures of habit, they really are. So are coaches,” Kress said. “So when we have additional days off, we’re kind of like, ‘Yeah, what are we doing here today?’ I mean, that could definitely have something to do with it. I’m not one that really makes excuses, so I just think that we came in and played a team that was ready to play.”
Before playing Thursday, the Rams (7-6, 3-0) had a team conversation about the situation.
“We decided to prioritize our unity and our quest for a conference championship and try to make the statement in playing," Kohan said.
Mountain West officials declined to comment on the forfeits. An email sent to Southern Utah wasn’t returned. In followup emails to Boise State and Wyoming, the schools referred back to their original statements announcing the forfeits.
The Spartans are simply tuning out the outside noise.
“When we walk into that gym, it’s all about mutual respect, and we’re all here for one goal — we all want to win a volleyball game,” San Jose State setter Brooke Slusser said. “When we walk into that gym, it doesn’t matter what’s happening in your personal life, what’s happening with a teammate, it doesn’t matter. You go in there and you work your butt off for each other, because we love each other.”
Dealing with the cancellations now and potentially more down the road can make it difficult to maintain rhythm.
“It’s not ideal,” Spartans right-side hitter Brooke Bryant said. "Not saying we’re expecting it to happen, we kind of are. And when we do get the opportunity to put the jersey on, we just play for each other.”
The Spartans won't play again until Oct. 10 at home against San Diego State.
“This team is one of my favorites, in regard to the fact of who they are as human beings,” Kress said. "They are incredible people. I love each and every one of them, and they have rallied around each other.
"I’m not sure of any teams that I’ve coached in the past would be able to handle some of the outside pressures that we’ve dealt with, but we’ve done an incredible job of doing that.”
AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports
The colors of the United States flag light the floor during the playing of the national anthem as, from left to right, San Jose State players Brooke Bryant, Blaire Fleming, Laurel Barsocchini and Kiyana Faupula cast shadows before an NCAA college volleyball match against Colorado State, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Jose State head coach Todd Kress, center back, talks to his players during a timeout during the first set of an NCAA college volleyball match against Colorado State, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Jose State middle blocker Emma Testi, front, enters a huddle with teammates in the first set of an NCAA college volleyball match against Colorado State, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Jose State players gather in a huddle before facing Colorado State in the first set of an NCAA college volleyball match Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
ATLANTA (AP) — Kirk Cousins sure earned all that money Thursday night.
The $180 million quarterback threw for a career-high 509 yards and four touchdowns, the last of them a 45-yard scoring pass to KhaDarel Hodge in overtime that gave the Atlanta Falcons an improbable 36-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“What a night,” Cousins said. “I'm exhausted.”
After a wild fourth quarter that featured a blocked field goal, a fumble and an interception, Cousins and the Falcons (3-2) got the ball back at their own 20 with 1:14 remaining in regulation and no timeouts, trailing 30-27.
Cousins completed five passes to push Atlanta to the Buccaneers 29, then hustled to the line to spike the ball with a single second left. In all the confusion, the Falcons were called for delay of game as they lined up for a tying field goal, but it didn't cost them.
Even with the five-yard penalty, Younghoe Koo knocked it through from 52 yards to force overtime, one week after he made a 58-yarder with 2 seconds left to beat the New Orleans Saints.
“I'm proud of the grit,” Cousins said. “In this league, that’s what it takes. We were gritty tonight.”
The Falcons won the coin toss in overtime and made sure Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (3-2) didn't get their hands on the ball again.
Cousins connected with Drake London on a couple of passes before throwing a short one to Hodge, who broke a tackle at the 40, sliced through a gap in the secondary and raced untouched to the end zone to end the game.
The four TD passes tied Cousins' career best, while his yardage through the air easily eclipsed his previous high of 460 with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
“The guys played hard,” coach Raheem Morris said. “They played to the end.”
After signing his big free agent deal with the Falcons, which included $100 million in guaranteed money, Cousins got off to sluggish start in Atlanta.
But he heard nothing but cheers on a night when the Falcons inducted longtime starting quarterback Matt Ryan into their Ring of Honor. The 36-year-old Cousins even swayed to the rap hit “Swag Surfin” during the postgame celebration, firmly establishing his chops in the A-T-L.
With Matty Ice cheering him on, Cousins broke Ryan's team record for passing yards in a game (503) with one of the most prolific performances in NFL history. Only 14 quarterbacks have thrown for more yards in a game, led by Norm Van Brocklin's mark of 554 yards that has stood since 1951.
“Outstanding,” Morris said in a succinct but fitting assessment of Cousins' performance.
Mayfield threw three touchdown passes, including a pair to Mike Evans, and Chase McLaughlin booted three field goals. The last of them was a 53-yarder that put the Buccaneers ahead 30-27 with 10:23 remaining.
Mayfield felt like he let this one slip away.
“All I care about is wins,” he said. “I've got to find a way to finish that game out on offense.”
The Falcons tied it with a gutty fourth-down call by Morris early in the fourth quarter.
After Tyler Allgeier was thrown for a 2-yard loss on third-and-2, the Falcons didn’t even consider a field goal from the Bucs 12.
Atlanta lined right back up and Cousins threw a pass to Darnell Mooney, who made the grab at the marker but wasn’t content with just a first down. He shook off a tackler and scooted to the end zone.
Mooney also had a 24-yard touchdown catch during a back-and-forth first half that ended with the Buccaneers up 24-17.
Both offenses ran up and down the field, combining for 488 yards, 28 first downs and just one punt over the first two quarters.
Cousins had an 18-yard touchdown pass to London, who finished with 12 catches for 154 yards. Mooney had nine receptions for 105.
“I spread it around and the players made plays,” Cousins said. “I'm grateful for the progress we've made. We're getting better and better each week.”
Koo missed his first field goal of the year from 41 yards and had another attempt blocked, but he also connected from 54 and 48 yards before splitting the uprights with the tying kick.
Buccaneers: S Tykee Smith returned to the game after being evaluated for a possible head injury. ... LB Lavonte David hobbled to the sideline after taking a cut block from Falcons G Chris Lindstrom, but only missed a couple of plays. ... S Jordan Whitehead walked off slowly early in the fourth quarter with a groin injury.
Falcons: CB Dee Alford left the game in the first half with a concussion. ... London also took a blow to the head, but he was cleared to return before halftime. ... LB Troy Andersen, the NFC defensive player of the week, did not suit up because of a knee injury.
Buccaneers: Travel to New Orleans for an NFC South game against the Saints (2-2) on Oct. 13.
Falcons: Hit the road for the first time since Week 2 when they travel up I-85 to face the division rival Carolina Panthers (1-3) on Oct. 13.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) reacts as he is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates after throwing a game-wining touchdown pass to wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) loses the football as he is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Logan Hall (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Logan Hall (90) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) shakes hands with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield after the Falcons defeated the Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) celebrates with running back Bijan Robinson (7) after Hodge scored the game-wining touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) scores the game-wining touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates with the fans after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo (6) celebrates his field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) scrambles away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (1) makes a touchdown reception between Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) and safety Christian Izien (29) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan reacts as he is inducted in the Falcons' Ring of Honor during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Logan Hall (90) reacts after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (1) reacts after his score against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) works in the pocket against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris celebrates with wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) after scoring against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime in an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
