by Christian Vieyra (@thecvieyra) – Co-Executive Editor | Senior Nick Nash celebrates after catching SJSU’s first touchdown of the 2024 season in a 42-24 romping of Sacramento State Thursday at CEFCU Stadium. (Photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
SJSU senior captain Nick Nash was motioning from the slot on the right side of the field to the left.
The ball snapped and he simultaneously made a cut to line up behind sophomore quarterback Emmett Brown on the opposite side from where he started.
The ball came to him immediately.
One short step later and Nash was in a familiar stance.
His arm cocked back, feet parallel to the sidelines and eyes down field.
His only goal, “just throw a ball that the tight end can catch.”
Nash unleashed a 26-yard throw to junior tight end Jacob Stewart.
“It was not a pretty ball but it got there,” Nash said.
Spartans’ junior tight end Jacob Stewart catches his first touchdown for San Jose State after wide receiver Nick Nash threw the unexpected pass during SJSU’s dominating 42-24 win over Sacramento State Thursday at CEFCU Stadium. (Photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
The Hornets lead was cut to 17-14 with 1:49 left in the first half.
Nash also had the first score of the season for SJSU in the previous quarter on a 24-yard catch and an 11-yard touchdown later in the third quarter.
Besides the two receiving and one thrown touchdown Nash would also finish with a career high 170 yards receiving, his first time ever eclipsing the 100-yard mark.
Upon head coach Ken Niumatalolo’s arrival, Nash hopped in the transfer portal before ultimately deciding to return.
Niumatalolo’s time at Navy was synonymous with the triple-option offense which is not known for its wide receiver production.
“I just remember early meetings with him,” Niumatalolo said. “We got a guy that’s going to come in and you’re going to love what he does, and it’s going to suit you perfectly so just trust me.”
That guy was Spartans’ offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann who brought a playbook that is designed for explosive plays.
The spread-n-shred SJSU offensive debut debut saw Emmet Brown throw for 298 yards.
And Thursday night saw Nash get a team high 16 targets with a career high 10 receptions.
“Coach Stutzmann says that he wants to target me,” Nash said. “I felt like a big man on campus.”
Nash was originally recruited as a quarterback to San Jose State, appearing under center for the Spartans in the 2019-2021 seasons.
2022 saw Nash lose his position with the arrival of Hawaii transfer Chevan Cordeiro.
Nash would pivot to a new role, wide receiver.
Fast forward two seasons later, Nash’s role with the Spartans is clearly pivotal.
With first year starter Brown at quarterback, Nash who is in his sixth year of college eligibility, provides a certain level of comfortability.
“I feel like I can just give him a 50/50 chance,” Brown said.
Niumatalolo praised Nash’s ability to read coverages on the fly and grasp concepts at a quick pace, especially after learning a new offense in between seasons.
“I’ve come to realize he’s a super smart football player,” Niumatalolo said. “I’m grateful he stayed.”
