By Christian Vieyra (@thecvieyra) – Co-Executive Editor | (photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
It’s the fifth week of the college football season and San Jose State’s bye week has come at the perfect time.
“We kind of need it, a lot of us are banged up and that just comes with playing football,” sophomore quarterback Emmett Brown said. “If we had a game this week we could be ready.”
SJSU sits at 3-1 on the season, after dropping their last game in double overtime 54-52 at Washington State.
“The little things are what cost us the game in the end,“ Brown said.
But he says the offense’s confidence is through the roof after watching film, putting up over 50 points and having multiple explosive plays in that loss at the Palouse.
Two players whose confidence likely rose this bye week were freshman defensive lineman Dylan Hampsten and junior offensive lineman Hudson Mesa.
The pair was awarded scholarships on Wednesday after practice. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo directed the team to look at the video board at CEFCU Stadium showcasing a graphic with the news.
The team erupted in celebration for their teammates.
“I mean, it was definitely a huge surprise,” Hampsten said. “We’re both a crucial part of this team now.”
Mesa was around a third to fourth string lineman in spring ball according to Niumatalolo. Hampsten was a starter back then, but had much to prove as a first time starter.
“It’s something that they’ve earned because of their hard work,” Niumatalolo said. “It’s not a charity handout, it’s not a donation.”
This day was a full circle moment for Mesa.
“It was honestly pretty surreal just to know all the work I’ve been putting in over these last couple years, everything’s finally paying off,” Mesa said.
Mesa was thrusted into the center position in week one after a few high snaps stalled the first couple drives on offense to start the 2024 season.
“I didn’t really have any indication that I was for sure going to be getting any reps this year, but I knew I had a chance to be in the mix,” Mesa said. “So I just tried to stay ready and prepared.”
And lucky enough for Mesa, his readiness paid off.
“You always have those cliches in coaching, just be ready whenever your number is called,” Niumatalolo said.
Fortunately for Mesa, his number was called and he hasn’t let go of his starting center spot since.
Hampsten’s rise to being on scholarship did not come without hiccups either.
In the 2024 spring game, Hampsten had a late hit on the now starting quarterback Brown.
Obviously this infuriated Niumatalolo at the time.
“I love sports because it’s a great laboratory for life,” Niumatalolo said. “What he did was wrong and could have gotten somebody hurt, we all make mistakes, but you also have to learn from them.”
After that incident Brown and Hampsten became roommates and now joke on the matter.
“We always joke about it now like ‘hit me harder next time’,” Brown said. “We’re great friends now.”
