By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | SJSU defensive front lines up against the New Mexico Lobos on Oct.3. (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar – The Spear)
The San Jose State Spartans (2-4, 1-1 MW) stay on the road looking to disrupt the Utah State Aggies’ (3-3,1-1 MW) homecoming game.
Coming off a disappointing 35-28 loss at Wyoming, where the team failed to score a second-half point and allowed 21 fourth-quarter points, SJSU will look to bounce back.
The Spartans might be forced to adjust offensively, with redshirt senior quarterback Walker Eget and sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero expecting to be game-time decisions, following injuries sustained in last week’s physical battle in Wyoming.
“We’re hopeful things look better and better every day as the weeks go on, but we’re not 100%, but we’ll see.” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said after practice on Tuesday.
Scudero is coming off a record-setting game in which he set an SJSU record with four touchdowns, along with 180 receiving yards. He also leads the nation with 848 receiving yards.
When Eget went down last week, the Spartans saw split reps from their backups. Freshman Tama Amisone went 5/8 and senior Xavier Ward went 3/10; the two combined for 45 passing yards.
If Eget can’t go Friday night, the team will make it a point of emphasis to get its backups in rhythm.
“We just gotta give them looks to give them confidence…I told the receivers… You got to make the tough catches, you gotta make those guys feel comfortable.” SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said after practice Tuesday.
Look for the Spartans to use the run game to find their rhythm offensively. Utah State’s run defense ranks tenth in the Mountain West, allowing an average of 178 rushing yards per game.
SJSU’s defense will have a hefty challenge dealing with Utah State’s graduate student quarterback Bryson Barnes this season. Barnes has 1318 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, with six rushing and only two interceptions.
“He’s a really good player, but the most impressive thing about him for me is his toughness…he’s as tough as I’ve seen.” Niumatalolo said, “I’m looking forward to meeting him after the game to shake his hand. I’m really impressed with this guy.”
The Aggies have a well-balanced offensive approach, proving they can win games by throwing the ball and also using their running game.
The Spartans’ defense has struggled as of late, closing out games in the last three matchups, the team has allowed a combined 48 fourth-quarter points.
“In close games, you gotta make kicks, you can’t beat yourself, and you can’t have penalties, and you gotta make kicks,” coach Niumatalolo said.
The Spartans’ kicker, sophomore Mathias Brown, went 0/2 on field goals last week, which left the door open for the second kicking competition of the year.
The competition is with senior Denis Lynch, who started the season 4/10, and Brown, who missed from 53 and 47 yards out; these were his first field goal attempts of his career.
This matchup also features family ties, as SJSU’s head coach Niumatalolo, is the father of Ali’i Niumatalolo, the tight end coach for the Aggies.
“Normally, we talk; we haven’t been talking much this week… It’s gonna be different seeing my son on a different sideline.” Coach Niumatalolo said.
The Spartans will go to Logan, Utah, on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. in their third conference matchup, looking to spoil the Aggies’ homecoming at Maverik Stadium.
