What to know before San Jose State’s home game against Western Michigan
San Jose State vs. Western Michigan
Records: SJSU (1-1, 0-0 Mountain West); Western Michigan (1-2, 1-0 Mid-American)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., CEFCU Stadium
Television: CBS Sports Network
Radio: KTRB (860 AM)
Series history: The Spartans lost the only meeting between the schools, 23-3 last season in Kalamazoo.
Storylines: Last season’s loss to the Broncos was particularly painful because quarterback Nick Starkel, who had the Spartans off to a 2-1 start, was injured during the game, significantly altering the trajectory of SJSU’s season. Starkel missed the next five games and wasn’t 100 percent when he returned. SJSU ended the season losing six of its final nine games, starting with Western Michigan. … Both mid-major programs are coming off encouraging showings against Power Five teams. The Spartans led Auburn at halftime on the road in a 24-16 loss two weeks ago; Western Michigan trailed No. 24 Pittsburg by a touchdown in the fourth quarter in their 34-13 home loss last week. … SJSU should be slightly fresher than the Broncos — the Spartans are coming off a bye. The Broncos opened the season at Michigan State and won their MAC opener at Ball State before the Pitt game. … The Spartans will wear a specially designed City of San Jose jersey for the game. The jerseys and helmets are black, with silver (and a hint of blue) trim. … San Jose State opens conference play next weekend at Wyoming.
Sept 24th…
https://t.co/ldnBe9hADh#ClimbTheMountain | #AllSpartans pic.twitter.com/pQnImkywNs
— San José State Football (@SanJoseStateFB) September 12, 2022
Matchup to watch: San Jose State’s run game vs. Western Michigan’s defense: Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro has been the biggest threat in a SJSU run game that has gained 103 yards in two games (only Colorado State and Boston College are averaging fewer rushing yards per game among FBS teams). The Spartans have only 48 rushing attempts if you take away the 10 times Cordeiro has been sacked, so this should be a better gague for how far SJSU’s young line and running backs are meshing. Kairee Robinson is the Spartans’ leading rusher with 59 yards on 21 carries. The Broncos are allowing 197 rushing yards per game. SJSU’s defense could have its hands full trying to stop the running game, too: Western Michigan’s Sean Tyler rushed for 1,150 yards last season and averages more than six yards per carry during his career. He had a go-ahead 75-yard touchdown run against Ball State.
Stats that matter: The Spartans are one of five FBS teams without a turnover this season. They have four interceptions and one muff punt recovery. This is the first time this century SJSU has gone the first two games without a turnover. … Cordeiro, the transfer from Hawaii, has passed for 514 yards and accounted for three of the Spartans’ four touchdowns — throwing one and rushing for two more. … The Broncos have a first-year starter at quarterback, Jack Salopek. He has completed 53.6 percent of his attempts for 522 yards and a touchdown, but has thrown four interceptions. … Safety Tre Jenkins and linebacker Kyle Harmon lead the team with 15 tackles through the first two games. Jenkins has 13 solo tackles. … Harmon has moved up to sixth all-time in school history with 356 career tackles. … The Spartans have played MAC opponents eight times, going 3-5, and all the SJSU wins have come in bowl games. The Spartans beat Miami University in the 1986 California Bowl, Central Michigan in 1990 California Raisin Bowl, and Bowling Green in the 2012 Military Bowl.
— LAURENCE MIEDEMA