SAN JOSE STATE VS. NEW MEXICO STATE
Records: San Jose State (2-2, 1-0 Mountain West); New Mexico State (1-4, independent)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., CEFCU Stadium
TV: NBC Sports California/Mountain West Network
Radio: KTRB (860 AM)
Series history: San Jose State leads the series, 17-3. This is the first meeting since 2012, when both schools were members of the WAC.
Storylines: The availability of San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel, who wore a sling on his left arm during the fourth quarter this past weekend, will remain a mystery until Saturday since Spartans coach Brent Brennan doesn’t comment on injuries. … SJSU needs to find a spark on offense after averaging only 9.0 points per game during a trio of road contests in September. … San Jose State hopes a return to CEFCU Stadium for the first time since the season opener on Aug. 28 will turn the ship around after a 23-3 loss at Western Michigan. … This is the last non-conference affair for the Spartans before beginning a stretch of seven games against Mountain West foes.
Matchup to watch: New Mexico State linebacker Chris Ojoh vs. San Jose State pass protection. Ojoh (6-1, 220) recorded a pair of sacks against Hawaii this past weekend and has four QB takedowns on the season. Meanwhile, the Spartans couldn’t protect their quarterbacks against Western Michigan, allowing eight sacks. The relentless pass rush contributed to three turnovers by SJSU – two fumbles and an interception – that turned into 17 points.
Injuries: None reported.
Stats that matter: The Aggies allow 4.9 yards per carry, while San Jose State running back Tyler Nevens averages 5.8 yards per carry. … Even after missing the first half on Saturday due to a targeting penalty in the previous game, linebacker Kyle Harmon leads the Spartans with 34 tackles, which is 14 more than the teammates closest to him, safeties Tre Jenkins and Jay Lenard. … San Jose State’s defense ranks 23rd in the nation in third-down conversions allowed at 30 percent. … SJSU has yet to record an interception, while Starkel has been picked off five times, twice for a score. … The Spartans don’t have a wide receiver who averages more than 50 yards per game, with Isaiah Hamilton (15 catches, 195 yards, 48.8 ypg) leading the pack. … The Spartans traveled 9,316 air miles during the month of September.
— Vytas Mazeika