By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Spear Reporter | Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo by the team huddle during SJSU’s 31-10 win against Kennesaw State (photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
San Jose State football has started 3-0 for the first time since 2020.
The new era under head coach Ken Niumatalolo, has gotten off to a fast start but the Spartans are about to face off against their toughest challenge yet.
SJSU is scheduled to face off against Washington State (3-0) Friday who is coming off a big 24-19 win against their rival school Washington in the Boeing Apple Cup.
SJSU’s schedule to this point has featured an FCS school (Sacramento State) and a first-year FBS school (Kennesaw State). While the SJSU win against Air Force proved that they can be one of the top teams in the Mountain West, this game will be a test to see how well they can play outside of the conference.
“I didn’t need to tell them this is probably one of the top teams we will play this season,” Niumatalolo said. “So it’s going to be a challenge.”
With conference realignment looming over the next two years, if the Spartans are able to win on the road against the Cougars it could be a statement to the Pac-12 that they deserve consideration to join the conference.
Despite all of the big picture stuff at play, Niumatalolo’s sole focus is on getting the win at Martin Stadium.
“You look at (the news) obviously but you can’t worry too much about it because it is out of your control,” Niumatalolo said. “You try to control things to the best of your ability but if it’s out of your hands, all you can do is try to win and let the chips fall where they may.”
The Spartans biggest challenge defensively will be to deal with dual threat sophomore quarterback John Mateer.
SJSU has played running quarterbacks against Sacramento State and Kennesaw State but what makes Mateer stand out is his passing ability.
Mateer has thrown for 712 yards and seven touchdowns, but he also leads the team with 314-rushing yards.
“When you watch tape it’s hard to feel good (going against Mateer),” Niumatalolo said. “He’s super dynamic with the ball and he can take off at any time.”
For SJSU’s sophomore quarterback Emmett Brown, it marks his first trip back to Lumen Field since he hit the transfer portal out of Washington State last offseason.
Brown has passed for 915 yards which is tenth overall in the FBS and thrown for nine touchdowns which is fifth in the FBS through the first-three weeks of the season .
Brown said he is excited to have the chance to come back to his old school.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t,” Brown said after the Spartans’ win over Kennesaw State last Saturday. “Obviously I got a little chip on my shoulder and a little extra motivation, not that I need any.”
With Brown spending two years at Washington State he has familiarity with the defensive schemes that Cougars head coach Jake Dickert likes to run.
“He does a really good job getting them prepared for what they do,” Brown said. “They have a really good front six.”
Spartans’ senior linebacker Jordan Cobbs is excited about starting 3-0 and is ready for the challenge that Washington State brings.
“I think this is a big stage to show us what we got,” Cobbs said. “We’re just ready to put our best foot forward once again.”
