SAN JOSE — It didn’t come easy for San Jose State, which found itself facing an early deficit again Saturday night. But the Spartans rallied for a 30-20 win over FCS school Cal Poly, overcoming another scoreless first quarter to finish the game strong.
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Despite the Spartans entering as 20.5-point favorites, coach Ken Niumatalolo said his team showed the resilience he has been looking for throughout the first three games of the season.
“We did some things that normally are catastrophic, but our guys bounced back,” Niumatalolo said.
The Spartans dominated offensively, finishing with 493 total yards compared with 340 for the Mustangs.
The game was tied 20-20 after Cal Poly scored early in the fourth quarter, but San Jose State responded with 10 unanswered points. Kicker Trajan Sinatra made a 23-yard field goal, then quarterback Luke Weaver connected with true freshman receiver Carson Clark for a 41-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.
The victory moved the Spartans to 2-1, giving them a winning record for the first time since 2024.
Here are the takeaways from the Spartans’ victory:
BATES AND THE RUNNING GAME CONTINUE TO PRODUCE
Yes, you read that right, Spartans fans: San Jose State ran the ball, a lot.
For an offense built around offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann’s “spread and shred” scheme, Saturday marked the third consecutive game the Spartans rushed for more than 100 yards. This time, they ran for an impressive 255.
Running back Jabari Bates led the way with a career-high 163 yards on 27 carries, including a 23-yard run. After rushing for 119 yards last week against Eastern Michigan, Bates has quickly become an important part of the Spartans’ offense.
“I’m honored to just be the guy leading the way. Just work hard, work hard for it,” Bates said.
Niumatalolo also used the depth in the backfield. Junior Viliami Teu had three carries for 28 yards, while Isaiah Carlson added four carries for 20 yards.
Weaver picked up 44 yards on 10 carries, giving San Jose State another rushing threat at quarterback that the team did not have last season.
CLARK, HOCH EMERGING AS WEAVER’S TOP TARGETS
It wasn’t a perfect first home start for Weaver, but he still finished 22 of 34 passing for 238 yards and three touchdowns.
He received plenty of help from Clark, who led the Spartans with 81 receiving yards on eight catches and two touchdowns. Clark, who impressed in his collegiate debut against USC two weeks ago, continues to emerge as one of Weaver’s most trusted targets.
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Cooper Hoch was right behind him, finishing with 77 yards on seven catches and a touchdown.
San Jose State entered the season with plans to rotate eight or nine receivers, but Clark and Hoch are beginning to separate themselves. Whether it was Clark’s touchdown in the second quarter or the 41-yard score in the fourth, the freshman repeatedly gave Weaver a big-play option.
“Those guys are awesome,” Weaver said. “They’re so receptive and they’re not complaining about anything. They just know the ball’s going to end up coming their way with the right look.”
The continued production from Clark and Hoch gives San Jose State a reliable one-two punch even with the Spartans’ depth at receiver.
DEFENSE FORCES TURNOVERS WHEN IT MATTERS
The Spartans’ defense had to overcome an early turnover by Weaver on San Jose State’s opening drive, but it eventually made the plays necessary to keep Cal Poly from pulling away.
The defense intercepted Mustangs quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr. twice, with Greco Carrillo recording the first and Caleb Womack coming up with a late interception in the end zone.
Womack finished with nine tackles and said the defense continued to lean on one another despite the slow start.
“It really is just a great overall play call by our coordinator,” Womack said of his interception. “We had the D-line pressuring the quarterback, made him just throw the ball up, and at that point it got back to the receiver and I just had to go up and get the ball.”
Grigsby finished 24 of 40 for 249 yards as the Spartans consistently pressured him and forced him into difficult situations.
The turnovers were especially important for a San Jose State defense that has emphasized creating more opportunities this season. Womack’s interception came on a deep ball to the end zone, helping preserve the Spartans’ slim lead late in the game.
UP NEXT
San Jose State will remain home for the Battle of the Valley against Fresno State at 8 p.m. Saturday at CEFCU Stadium. The Spartans will look to improve to 3-1 in the first meeting of the rivalry since Fresno State left the Mountain West over the offseason.
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