By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Spear Editor
Quarterbacks Walker Eget (left) and Emmett Brown (right) stretch at practice – photo by Nicholas Orozco | The Spear
San Jose State football first-year head coach Ken Niumatalolo made his official decision on who the starting quarterback will be for the 2024 season.
We just won’t know until gameday.
“Yeah we know who it is, I’m just not going to tell (the media),” Niumatalolo said while cracking a smile. “It wasn’t a decision we made a long time ago, the battle was really that close.”
There’s nothing the fans can do except wait and see who SJSU trots out for its first possession against Sacramento State.
The first game of the Niumatalolo era will also be SJSU’s home opener and he is tapping into his 16 years of coaching experience to keep his nerves in check.
“I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, I’m anxious because we are excited to see what we have,” he said. “You always have butterflies. I believe in this profession if you stop having butterflies you need to get out.”
While Sacramento State is a Football Championship Subdivision school, they are a team not to be taken lightly. The Hornets have the ability to upset D1 schools including last year where they upset Stanford on their homefield 30-23.
The number one challenge defensively for the Spartans would be to stop the dual threat senior quarterback Kaiden Bennett.
“Bennett is a really good football player,” Niumatalolo said. “He’s hard to tackle and elusive.”
Bennett had a breakout season in 2023 where he passed for 2,192 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Bennett also utilized his legs rushing for 577 yards and six touchdowns, the former of which was the second most on the team.
SJSU senior linebacker Jordan Cobbs wants the Spartans to come out the gate and establish physical dominance.
“Sac State got a couple weapons on their offense so, if we come out there sleepy it’s not gonna be fun.” Cobbs said.
SJSU’s defense was a huge part of their big 2023 season turnaround as they allowed three scores or less in the team’s last seven games.
The Spartans turned the season around after starting 1-5 to finish 7-6 and were able to grab a bowl game appearance where they lost to Coastal Carolina 24-14.
SJSU hopes to carry the good momentum from last season into the 2024 season but with 49 new players on the roster and a new staff, the returning veterans will have to take that extra step.
Cobbs, junior linebacker Jordan Pollard, junior corner Michael Dansby and junior DJ Harvey are among the strong returning veterans who will be leading the Spartans defense.
The defense for SJSU has had the leg up on the offense during the spring camp but the offense has been finding its rhythm as the season approaches.
Wide receiver Nick Nash catches a pass over his head at practice – photo by Nicholas Orozco | The Spear
“(Our offense) is a lot crisper,” SJSU senior wide receiver Nick Nash said. “I think the reads are getting better, the quarterbacks are starting to understand when the receivers are breaking more and it’s just getting sharper.”
The new look Spartans have been preparing for the last seven months and it all comes to fruition at 7 p.m. Thursday at CEFCU Stadium.
“I know the kids are tired of hitting each other and looking forward to this game,” Niumatalolo said.
