San Jose State heads into Saturday night’s home opener with a little more bounce in its step.
The Spartans are back at CEFCU Stadium after finally getting into the win column, and they’ll try to turn that momentum into a second straight victory when they host Cal Poly. San Jose State is 1-1 after last week’s 27-21 win at Eastern Michigan, a game that featured big days from junior receiver Cooper Hoch and running back Jabari Bates.
Hoch delivered the kind of breakout that can change the shape of an offense. He caught five passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs, and both scores were the first of his career. After totaling five catches in 12 games last season, he has stepped into a much bigger role this fall as San Jose State sorts through the departures of several key receivers.
Bates gave the Spartans something else they needed: a real run game. San Jose State had been held to 102 rushing yards in its season-opening 42-26 loss at USC, but Bates helped flip that script with 119 yards on 20 carries against Eastern Michigan. That was a welcome return to form after he missed most of last season following a season-ending injury against Stanford in Week 4.
“It felt great knowing that I put the work in just to really get this role and understanding what it takes to be able to take on 20 carries, just taking care of my body, having a good mindset, just staying relaxed throughout the game,” Bates said.
That kind of production matters because the Spartans have already shown they can spread the ball around. Freshman Jase Nix scored his first career touchdown against Eastern Michigan, and 10 different San Jose State players have caught a pass this season. The receiver rotation has been active from the start, and that depth has given the offense a little more juice.
“We got a lot of depth out there. It’s good because it creates a little bit of friendly competition in the room,” Stutzmann said. “But what it does is when somebody’s maybe not feeling it, we got the next guy in there and we can roll.”
Now the challenge is keeping it going against an unbeaten Cal Poly team. The Mustangs are 2-0, including a 1-0 mark in Big Sky play, after beating Central Washington 24-17 last week.
San Jose State is a 20.5-point favorite after being an underdog in each of its first two games. The matchup kicks off at 6 p.m. and will stream on MW+.
Coach Ken Niumatalolo made it clear the Spartans can’t treat anyone lightly.
“It’s not like we’re Ohio State or anybody; it’s not like we’re LSU. We’re not a football juggernaut,” San Jose State coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “It’s not like we can overlook anybody.”
Hoch will also be trying to keep building on the momentum he started in the opener against USC, when he made a diving catch and finished with two receptions for 24 yards, topping his season best from last year. His showing at Eastern Michigan only strengthened his case in a deep nine-player receiver room.
“It’s been a long journey for me, but I always knew that if I kept working I’d be able to get on the field and go make a play,” Hoch said.
Saturday will also bring a first for senior quarterback Luke Weaver, who will make his first start in front of the home crowd. Weaver was sharp against Eastern Michigan, going 23 of 39 for 316 yards and three touchdowns, even with two turnovers mixed in.
He said the emphasis this week has been on cutting down the mistakes and getting off to a quicker start, something San Jose State has struggled with through two games.
“Really just clean up all of the mistakes we’ve been making, starting fast, also preparing for the looks that we’re gonna get and playing our style of football,” Weaver said.
The Spartans have spotted both opponents early leads this season, falling behind 28-0 at USC before rallying and then trailing 7-0 at Eastern Michigan before responding in the second quarter.
Cal Poly’s offense brings a different look, led by fifth-year quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr. The Stockton native, who began his college career at the College of San Mateo, has thrown seven touchdowns without an interception this season. He was 15 of 27 for 204 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win over Central Washington.
“They’re a good team, they got a quarterback that can throw it and that can get out the pocket and use his legs,” defensive coordinator Bojay Filimoeatu said. “They run the ball well, they execute their run scheme to a high level.”
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