By Hannah Kacarka – Spear Reporter | Caleb Womack sizing up Cal Poly with the rest of the Defensive Line (Cesar Maya – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State (2-1) beat Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (2-1) 30-20 Saturday, thanks to defensive pressure after a slow start and multiple penalties.
The Spartans started the game without scoring in the first quarter for the third consecutive game of the 2026 season, but the defense held firm, keeping the Mustangs to 6 points to close out the first half and matching them with their own 13 points.
“Feeding off of the defense when they got us stops [shifted the momentum],” redshirt senior running back Jabari Bates said. “They needed us, so we just had to answer the bell, and we did.”
Bates helped his defense, rushing for a career-high 163 yards on 27 carries.
However, the Spartans’ defense struggled in the third quarter, giving up big plays and penalties that ultimately led to a touchdown for Cal Poly.
In the fourth quarter, redshirt senior cornerback Caleb Womack had an end zone interception, leading to the final momentum shift of the game and, ultimately, securing the win.
“It was really just a great overall play call by our coordinator,” Womack said. He led the Spartans in total tackles with 9. “I just had to go up there and get the ball.”
That coordinator is Bojay Filimoeatu, who took over as interim defensive coordinator for the final two games of 2025 before being promoted permanently in January. His defense emphasizes versatility and disguising its looks, changes that showed against Cal Poly as the Spartans finished with 4 sacks and 2 interceptions.
The performance marked a noticeable improvement for a unit that struggled throughout the 2025 season, allowing 32.5 points and 403.2 yards per game last season with just 18 sacks.
“We found a way to win,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “I’m encouraged by that because our kids got some resolve and grit.”
The Spartans head into their next game against rival Fresno State at 8 p.m. Saturday at CEFCU Stadium.
