San Jose State’s 25-3 loss to San Diego State on Saturday evening was largely brought on by the Spartans’ self-inflicted wounds that created too large of a deficit to battle again from at Snapdragon stadium.
On high of two turnovers and a pair of missed discipline objectives, it didn’t assist that the Spartans additionally misplaced beginning quarterback Walker Eget within the first quarter.
“It was kind of indicative of this year. The kicking game hurt us and we had big turnovers,” mentioned Spartans coach Ken Niumatalolo, whose crew has a minus-9 turnover margin and has made simply 58 % of its discipline purpose makes an attempt (11-for-19).
Eget suffered an obvious leg damage and was later seen on the sideline utilizing crutches after going 4-for-8 for 32 yards and an interception. Whereas not revealing many particulars, Niumatalolo struck an ominous tone when requested about Eget’s damage.
“I’ll just say it didn’t look good,” Niumatalolo mentioned. “Haven’t got anything official but we’ll find out in a little bit.”
Eget’s damage pressured freshman quarterback Tama Amisone to take over the offense. Amisone, a 5-foot-11, 184-pound product of Hawaii’s Kapolei Excessive, utilized his duel-threat skills to provide the Aztecs a distinct look. He rushed for a team-high 75 yards on 13 runs whereas finishing 15 of 27 passes for 104 yards and an interception.
The San Diego State protection, which is ranked first within the Mountain West whereas permitting simply 12.5 factors per recreation, held the Spartans to 268 yards of offense and out of the top zone. The Aztecs had seven tackles for loss, together with 4 sacks.
Dwayne McDougle #26 of San Diego State runs the ball after an interception in opposition to Daniel Moleni #54 of San Jose State throughout their recreation at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
After electing to obtain the ball on the outset, the Spartans shortly put themselves in hassle when Eget was intercepted by ex-McClymonds Excessive of Oakland standout Dwayne McDougle on the third play of the sport. The primary of McDougle’s two interceptions arrange the Aztecs on the Spartans’ 20-yard line. They scored six performs afterward Fortunate Sutton’s 1-yard landing run.
San Jose State moved into discipline purpose vary on its subsequent offensive drive, however kicker Denis Lynch slipped whereas trying a 43-yard discipline purpose that had no probability of success.
Fellow Spartans kicker Mathias Brown, kicking from the left hash, then went 1-for-2 on his discipline purpose makes an attempt within the first half, making a 37-yarder and lacking a 39-yarder.
Regardless of their offensive woes, the Spartans’ protection seemed much-improved in interim defensive coordinator Bojay Filimoeatu’s first recreation since taking up for longtime coach Derrick Odum, who was fired on Monday.
San Jose State’s protection restricted the Aztecs offense to only 248 yards complete yards and 5-for-13 on third downs. However the SJSU offense was by no means capable of capitalize.
“If we could have just mustered up something on offense, I feel like our defense could have kept their juice,” Niumatalolo mentioned. “I thought the defense rallied and that was a testament to Bojay.”
San Jose State (3-8, 2-5 MWC) has now misplaced three video games in a row, its longest shedding streak since 2023. In the meantime, San Diego State (9-2, 6-1 MWC) put itself in place to clinch the convention’s regular-season title with a victory subsequent Friday evening in opposition to New Mexico.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: Trey White #2 of the San Diego State Aztecs pressures Tama Amisone #8 of the San Jose State Spartans throughout the second half at Snapdragon Stadium on November 22, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photograph by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Photos)
With Amisone within the recreation and with out Eget, the nation’s second-leading passer with 3,015 yards, the Spartans emphasised the run recreation closely. The Spartans’ offensive philosophy change Saturday evening was by necessity, although.
“We got beat up front,” Niumatalolo mentioned. “It’s hard to throw the football when the quarterback is running for his life.”
SJSU working backs Steve Chavez-Soto (51 yards, 14 carries) and Viliami Teu (23 yards, 5 carries) mixed for 74 yards on 19 makes an attempt for a mixed 133 speeding yards for SJSU.
Like Eget, Amisone needed to depart the sport on account of an undisclosed damage. Whereas he obtained medical consideration on the sideline, Spartans freshman quarterback Robert McDaniel, a UCLA switch, took over for his or her ultimate drive of the sport. McDaniel completed the sport 1-for-3 passing for minus-1 yard.
San Diego State’s offense was lacking its high two huge receivers as each Jordan Napier and Jacob Bostick had been dominated out of the sport with accidents. The Aztecs offense struggled to get the passing recreation going with out them as quarterback Jayden Denegal went simply 4-for-8 for 16 yards till the two-minute warning.
However Denegal accomplished a 52-yard bomb to Donovan Brown to maneuver the ball to the SJSU 4. This arrange a 1-yard TD sneak by Denegal, giving SDSU an 18-3 lead. Senegal completed 8-of-16 for 81 yards passing..
SJSU finishes the season 0-6 on the street and can shut its season at dwelling subsequent Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in opposition to Fresno State within the annual battle for the Valley.
