By Nick Austin – Spear Reporter | (photo by Mat Bejarano – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
After finishing the year with a 7-5 record, San Jose State is set to play South Florida In the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24 at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
This will be SJSU’s third bowl game in three consecutive years, which is the first time that has happened in the school’s history.
Last year the Spartans lost in the Hawaii Bowl to Coastal Carolina 24-14 and will be looking to improve upon that performance this time around.
After taking over as head coach of the Spartans back in January, head coach Ken Niumatalolo will be heading back to familiar territory as he was once a quarterback for the University of Hawaii from 1987-1989.
“You almost got to pinch yourself recognizing that we’re going to Hawaii for a bowl game,” head coach Ken Niumatalolo said.
Coach Niumatalolo is not the only Hawaii native to be taking the trip home as part of the team’s visit to play South Florida.
Offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann, among others on the coaching staff, is also a Hawaii native and he also played wide-receiver for the Warriors between 1998-2001.
“The game is going to be a fun one but there’s so much emotion that comes with going back home to go to a bowl game,” offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said.
Stutzmann expressed how he has already told the quarterbacks his off the field plans for them when in Hawaii, which includes a steak dinner at his house and a trip to Side Street, which is a local bar and restaurant.
The Spartans will look to showcase their fifth ranked passing offense on national television as they will be the only bowl game on Christmas Eve.
Senior wide receiver Nick Nash has been the centerpiece of this offense all year as he finished the regular season with 104 receptions, 1382 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Stutzmann also said he would like to use this opportunity to get Nash, who is a finalist for the Biletnikoff award, to 1,500 receiving yards for the year.
You can watch the Hawaii Bowl on ESPN on Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. PST.
