Saturday, Sept. 25 - 2 p.m. ET
Waldo Stadium - Kalamazoo, MI
ESPN+
Fresh off a big 44-41 road win over Pittsburgh, the Western Michigan Broncos are home this week to take on San Jose State. The Spartans went undefeated during an eight-game 2020 regular season, but lost to Ball State in the Offerpad Arizona Bowl last Dec. 31.
SJSU Already has one loss this year, but that 30-7 setback was at #15 Southern Cal. The Spartan Wins were against Southern Utah in Week One and Hawaii last week.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS (2-1, 1-0 Mountain West)
>> The Spartains opened Mountain West play last week with a 17-13 victory over Hawaii. The latter took its only lead on a one-yard run late in the first quarter. However, that would be the Rainbow Warriors only touchdown of the contest. They added two third quarter field goals to trail 14-13, but the game's only score after that was a San Jose State field goal for the 17-13 final.
>> Hawaii actually outgained the Spartains 369-291 overall, but hosts had just one more first down after going 4-of-18 on third down conversions. San Jose State allowed 242 passing yards and 127 on the ground.
>> SJSU averaged just 2.2 ypc, picking up a mere 56 yards on 26 trips. Kairee Robinson had 21 of those carries, picking up 55 yards.
>> Senior QB Nick Starkel connected on 23-of-50 passes, good for 235 yards with 235 yards and one interception.
>> Parker Sampson was good on one-of-two field goals (29 yards) and five-of-six PATs.
>> The Spartans registered two sacks and two TFL. Junior Rico Tolefree owned 1.5 TFL among his six tackles. Nehemiah Shelton and Kyle Harmon combined for 18 tackles.
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (2-1)
>> Pitt scored first, but Western Michigan responded with three straight touchdowns and never trailed again. The game was tied on three occasions, with the last being 34-all heading into the fourth quarter.
A touchdown by La'Darius jefferson and 29-yard field goal with 5:37 left were enough to offset Pitt's final TD.
>> Both offenses thrived, combining for 1,025 yards. WMU had just nine more yards and two first downs. However, the Broncos were turnover free, while Pitt committed three turnovers.
>> Sophomore QB Kaleb Eleby connected on 23-of-35 for 337 yards and three TDs. Freshman Jack Salopek went 3-for-3 for 20 yards.
>> Corey Crooms and Skyy Moore combined for 285 receiving yards and a pair of scores. Sean Tyler also had a TD among his three receptions.
>> Zaire Barnes led WMU's defense with 10 tackles. The Broncos notched two sacks and eight TFL, along with five quarterback hurries. Dorian Jackson picked off a Pitt pass.