By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | Junior Cooper Hoch lines up at wide receiver against USC on Aug 29. (Photo by Max Garcia (@maxgarci09) – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State football (1-1, 0-0 MW) will return home for its season opener against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (2-0, 1-0 BS) on Saturday.
After earning its first win of the season against Eastern Michigan University, SJSU will look to continue its momentum against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent.
“It’s not like we’re Ohio State or anybody. It’s not like we’re LSU, we’re not a football juggernaut,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “It’s not like we can overlook anybody … so every team that we play, FCS or wherever that might be for us, we better come ready to play.”
SJSU’s offense came into Week 2 looking to build on optimistic performances.
Senior quarterback Luke Weaver set the tone, averaging 275 passing yards over the last two games, showing his connection with junior wide receiver Cooper Hoch, who had 115 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns against EMU.
“Cooper exemplifies what it is to be in this system for now three years,” SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said. “He’s very comfortable, he’s familiar with what he’s trying to do, he’s able to use the techniques he’s playing as fast as he can and he’s confident.”
The Spartans also had another standout offensive performance from senior running back Jabari Bates, who had 119 rushing yards while averaging 6 yards per carry.
The Spartans were looking to get out to a fast start after going scoreless through the first quarter of their first two games of the season.
“The big thing is just executing and doing our jobs early. Don’t get psyched out at all, just make the game what it is and do our jobs,” Weaver said.
If SJSU gets a big lead, players lower on the depth chart can gain opportunities. SJSU will also be without starting senior offensive lineman Daniel Moleni, forcing the team to reshuffle the unit.
The Spartans’ defense will roll into CEFCU Stadium after ending their matchup against EMU with seven straight drives without a score, allowing EMU to go 3-for-16 on third down.
SJSU will look to keep that momentum going against a Mustang offense that averages 450 total yards and 31 points through two games.
“They have a quarterback that can throw it and can get out of the pocket and use his legs, and they run the ball well. They execute their run scheme to a high level,” SJSU defensive coordinator Bojay Filimoeatu said. “When they spread it out to throw, the quarterback has a good arm to hit those balls in tight windows.”
The Mustangs are led by senior dual-threat quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr., who averages 261.5 passing yards while rushing for 48.5 rushing yards per game.
Grigsby Jr. relies on junior running back Tayvion McCoy, who leads the team in rushing yards, averaging 92 yards a game on 6.5 yards per carry.
The Mustangs’ balanced attack may threaten the Spartans’ defense, which has historically struggled against dual-threat quarterbacks but has recently held strong, being the fourth-ranked Mountain West rushing defense.
SJSU is 2-0 against Cal Poly, with a 38.5-point average margin of victory per game.
The Spartans will look for their sixth home-openingwin in the past eight seasons at 6 p.m. on Saturday at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
