By Max Garcia (@Maxgarci09) – Spear Reporter | SJSU wide receiver Danny Scudero celebrates with Floyd Chalk IV after a Spartans touchdown in the 16-14 loss to Central Michigan on Aug 30. (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar – Spear Photographer)
In front of a hyped season-opening crowd, San Jose State (0-1) fell 16-14 to Central Michigan (1-0) despite entering the game as 14-point favorites.
Senior quarterback Walker Eget completed 17 of 32 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns, but three first-half turnovers stalled the Spartans’ offense.
The Spartans’ offense struggled to find rhythm early, managing only 51 total yards in the first quarter compared to the Chippewas’ 125. The run game, a point of emphasis during the week, finished with only 75 rushing yards.
“We were coming hot off the get-go. Some of my decision-making was a crucial moment. Turnovers are the biggest thing,” Eget said. “In my position, we can’t allow that to happen. The score would be completely different.”
Sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero was the lone bright spot, hauling in nine receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown. His score came in the third quarter on a slant route, where he broke multiple tackles to give the Spartans their only lead of the game.
Scudero, a Sacramento State transfer and 2024 FCS Freshman All-American, returned to play for his hometown team this fall.
“The energy on the sideline was great despite the loss. Everybody battled to the end,” Scudero said. “This is the kind of team you want to play for. Great coaches from the top down. You give them everything you’ve got.”
Defensively, the Spartans gave up 158 rushing yards in the first half and 236 overall. The run defense, a concern throughout the offseason, again showed inconsistency but managed to keep the game within reach by forcing punts.
They were able to hold Central Michigan to 3-of-12 on third downs and stopped a field goal attempt on the opening drive.
Linebackers Noah McNeal-Franklin and Jordan Pollard combined for 23 tackles, with Pollard leading the way with 15.
“Early on, they pushed us around, but I thought the defense settled down afterwards,” head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “I was proud of our kids. The defensive coaches did a really good job keeping those guys in it. We’ve got veteran players who showed leadership.”
Special teams played a pivotal role in the loss. San Jose State missed two field goals, including a 33-yarder in the final minute that would have given the lead.
“We’ll meet tomorrow. We’ve got one extra day to get ready for Texas. We’ll start looking at all the first things we can fix,” Niumatalolo said.
San Jose State faces a daunting task next week with a road matchup against No. 1 Texas on Sept. 6 at 9 a.m. at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
