The 2025 San Jose State Spartans season kicked off at home against the Central Michigan Chippewas. Spartans head coach, Ken Niumatalolo, facing a familiar foe in Chippewas head coach, Matt Drinkall. The two being on opposing sidelines during Army vs Navy games from 2019-2022.
Kicker 0-2 in the clutch
Before the clock struck triple zeroes at the end of the fourth quarter, the San Jose State Spartans had two opportunities to win the game and failed to convert. Coming out of the two minute warning in the fourth quarter with 1:13 left Spartan kicker Denis Lynch missed a 33-yard potential game-winning field goal.
As luck would have it the defense would stand on its head again and with the aid of two timeouts forced a punt. Leaving the offense with :59 and starting the possession on their own 29-yard line still down two points. Spartans quarterback Walker Eget lead the team down to the Chippewa’s 38, and Lynch was up for a walk off 56-yard attempt. He missed it wide right, and the Chippewa’s won 16-14.
Spartans ran ragged
Drinkall and the Chippewas offense came out with an express intent to impose their will on the Spartans running the ball seven straight times to open the game. Making full use of their size advantage, running back Trey Cornist frequently ran straight downhill for big yardage. Cornist set the tone on an inside zone to the right. Breaking three tackles enroute to a 29-yard touchdown, 7-0 Chippewas.
Cornist, and his 98 yards and a score, wouldn’t be the only Chippewas running back getting in on the action as his back up Nahree Biggins led the team with 102 yards of his own on the ground. With 3:14 left in the first quarter the Chippewas had amassed an incredible 98 yards rushing.
The initial pace of the Chippewas rushing attack was slowed to a more reasonable amount after the first quarter.It took the Chippewas until seven minutes remaining in the fourth to gain their second hundred plus yards on the ground. When the clock struck zero, Central Michigan had run the ball 51 times for 239 yards and a touchdown.
Self-inflicted wounds
Three of the Spartans first four drives ended in a turnover. Admirably, the Spartans defense only gave up one touchdown and two field goals despite being placed in bad field position. To their credit, coach Niumatalolo’s team didn’t succumb to the negative emotions and continued to fight back.
The Spartans opening drive ended on the Chippewas two yard line as Eget rolled out to his left and promptly threw the ball into the waiting arms of Chippewa defender, Brenden Desfernandes for a touchback. Two plays into their second drive, Eget was strip-sacked by Chippewas Michael Heldmen, and Fernando Sanchez III recovered it. On the second down of the fourth drive, Eget threw his second interception of the night to Chippewa’s Elijah Rickard.
Eget and the offense play hot and cold
When Eget wasn't turning the ball over he had the deep ball working nearly all game long against man coverage. Eget would finish the game with 122 QB rating, 302 yards passing and two touchdowns to oppose the two interceptions and a fumble. Eget made good use of the sure hands of Danny Scudero and Leland Smith.
However, Eget struggled with his decision making at times and progressed through his reads in the correct timely fashion. Often throwing short and in-breaking routes late and nearly being picked off numerous times.
The run game and run blocking for a major part of the game just wasn’t up to par. Whether it be the late gives to the back fooling no one, or the line just not creating creases or reaching the second level. It simply wasn’t good enough. Ultimately the Spartans would finish with only 75 yards on 24 attempts without a touchdown.
Scudero is the next wide receiver #1
Scudero hit the Chippewas defense for big gains of 46, 36, 45 and a touchdown, 33 yards. Scudero, had himself one heck of an opening night, putting up 9 catches for 189 yards and 1 touchdown. The second highest receiving numbers in the country.
Next up for the San Jose State heads to Austin for a matchup with Texas, who took a loss to No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday.
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:
- Tom Brady helps Shedeur Sanders secure a roster spot in Cleveland
- Kelce Brothers awkward college photo resurfaces after Taylor Swift engagement
- Miami legend wants nothing to do with Shannon Sharpe: "I’m shocked at his content"
- Notre Dame Football unveils new logo— first time in 60 years
- Arch Manning's Heisman odds take massive hit against Ohio State
- Tulane coach calls out Big Ten school for denying Hurricane Katrina tribute