SAN JOSE – One of the things first-year San Jose State head coach Ken Niumatalolo has been trying to instill since the beginning of his tenure is winning the turnover battle.
SJSU will have an opportunity Friday when it faces Stanford at CEFCU Stadium (1 p.m., CBS) to finish the regular season with a positive turnover margin.
While quarterback Walker Eget did not throw an interception last week against UNLV for the first time as a starter, he did fumble a snap in the first quarter, giving the Spartans a -1 turnover margin for the season.
“If we can come out with no turnovers, I like our chances this week,” Niumatalolo said at his Tuesday press conference.
Niumatalolo-led teams have only had a negative turnover margin three times in his 15-year career.
The Cardinal (3-8, 2-6 ACC) have been vulnerable with a turnover in every game except for a 24-21 loss at Cal last week. Their 14 interceptions are tied for ninth-worst in the FBS, with nine from junior starter Ashton Daniels.
The Spartans’ (6-5, 3-4 MW) defensive backs, who have named themselves the “crowd silencers,” have 17 interceptions this season, tied for second in the nation.
The only problem is that it’s San Jose State tied with Stanford’s 14 interceptions thrown.
Eget has thrown eight in his five games starting under center and has fumbled on several running plays this year. Notably, he has struggled to go down before making contact with defenders.
Last week’s 4-for-22 performance against UNLV was largely due to heavy rain. Friday should be a return to form for the “Spread and Shred” system that has produced the nation’s sixth-best passing offense (319.8 ypg).
SJSU’s defense has managed at least one turnover in every game so it will be incumbent on the offense to keep the ball out of harm’s way.
“They didn’t like how their season went, we didn’t like how our season went. So it’s really who’s willing to go all-out for this last game,” cornerback DJ Harvey said.
Size key in the trenches
The elements last week forced SJSU to rely on its run game, which it had not done all season. The ensuing results showed why: 25 attempts for just 31 yards.
Guard Tyler Chen said that falls on the offensive line.
“We take responsibility for that but we’re trying to get our slack back up for this game,” said Chen, whose mother works at Stanford.
Facing a Power 4 school, the opponent doesn’t get any easier to block: Stanford’s offensive linemen are all above 300 pounds.
The Spartans’ pass protection has been solid all year, only allowing 10 sacks, but the offensive line’s biggest test may be in the regular-season finale.
The defensive line may deal with its largest opponent of the season but will have opportunities against the Cardinal, who allow 3.45 sacks per game.
SJSU’s best defensive lineman, Soane Toia, has been red hot to finish his career: Over the last three games, he has five tackles for loss and two and a half sacks.
Best in the nation
SJSU wide receiver Nick Nash was named a Biletnikoff Award finalist Tuesday along with Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. The award winner will be announced on Dec. 12.
“Last week, I was saying it was crazy to be a semifinalist. Now it’s crazy to be a finalist and it just keeps getting crazier. Hopefully, I can pull it off and win it but you know, I’m blessed either way,” Nash said.
He currently leads the nation in receptions (96), receiving touchdowns (14), and is second in receiving yards (1,291), all despite finishing with one catch for nine yards in last week’s downpour.
Nash is the first player from SJSU to be named a finalist for the award. The Mountain West Conference’s most recent finalist was Colorado State’s Michael Gallup in 2017.
“Nick deserves to be there – this isn’t some kind of token award. He definitely deserves to be in this final, and hopefully, he wins it but really happy and proud of him,” Niumatalolo said.
Friday is Senior Day and will be Nash’s final game at CEFCU Stadium.
Stopping the run
Daniels leads Stanford in passing but also in rushing with 571 yards on 131 carries, 60 more attempts than No. 1 running back Micah Ford.
“They want to keep the ball in the quarterback’s hands, there’s a lot of quarterback run game, so you really have to be on your P’s and Q’s,” Harvey said.
Quarterback Justin Lamson also sees playing time for the Cardinal and has seven rushing touchdowns as the short-yardage quarterback.
SJSU struggled against mobile quarterbacks earlier in the season, but has improved in that area in recent weeks.
The Spartans have not allowed 20 or more rushing yards to a quarterback since their loss to Colorado State in Week 7.
Stanford freshman receiver Emmett Mosley V has emerged as a threat opposite Elic Ayomanor to keep defenses honest. Staying disciplined, which has been a struggle for the Spartans defense all season, will be paramount.
“I feel like if we can take care of the football and take care of the self-inflicted wounds, then let the chips fall where they may,” Niumatalolo said.