Aug. 24, 2014
Upcoming game:
San José State vs. North Dakota
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Spartan Stadium, San José, Calif.,
7:00 p.m. (PDT) ESPN3
2013 San José State record: 6-6, 5-3 Mountain West. The Spartans finished tied for third in the Mountain West's West Division.
2013 North Dakota record: 3-8, 2-6 Big Sky. North Dakota finished 10th in the Big Sky Conference.
San José State head coach Ron Caragher:  In his second season as the San José State head coach. Has a record of 6-6 with the Spartans. Overall, he is in his eighth season as a major college head coach with a 50-28 record. He is 0-0 as a head coach against North Dakota. Caragher's first six seasons as a head coach were at the University of San Diego.
North Dakota head coach Bubba Schweigert:  In his first season at North Dakota. Has a major college coaching record of 22-21, all at Minnesota Duluth during the 2004 through 2007 seasons. He is 0-0 as a head coach against San José State.
San José State-North Dakota series: This is the first meeting between these teams.
Play-by-Play Radio Coverage: KLIV (1590 AM, San José) originates San José State football broadcasts. Justin Allegri is the play-by-play voice. Kevin Richardson offers commentary. The North Dakota broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. (PST).
For the first time, San José State has four network affiliates.
KION (1460 AM/101.1 FM, Salinas)
KFIV (1360 AM, Modesto)
KWSX (1280 AM, Stockton)
ESPN Desportes (860 AM, San Francisco)
KSJS (90.5 FM, San José) also will broadcast the North Dakota game. Air time with a pregame show is 6:45 p.m.
Television: The San José State-North Dakota game will be broadcast nationally by ESPN3. Paul Loeffler calls the play-by-play. Pat Hill makes his broadcasting debut as an analyst. ESPN3's coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. (PT).
Going for two consecutive carryovers: San José State can make it two seasons in a row ending a previous year with a victory and starting the next one with a triumph. Between 2012 and 2013, the Spartans defeated Bowling Green in the Military Bowl to end 2012 and shutout Sacramento State at the start of the 2013 season. San José State closed last season with a win over #16-Fresno State.
Season captains named: Defensive tackle Travis Raciti and center David Peterson were named team captains for the 2014 season. Head coach Ron Caragher indicated game captains would be added throughout the season. Raciti becomes the seventh player in the program's history to be named a team captain in more than one season.
Personnel turns over: Not counting placekicker Austin Lopez, San José State has seven projected starters for the North Dakota game that started in the 2013 season opener against Sacramento State.
| Offense | Defense |
| OT Wes Schweitzer | DE Eugene Taylor |
| TE Billy Freeman | DT Travis Raciti |
| DT Tony Popovich | |
| CB Jimmy Pruitt | |
| S Forrest Hightower |
Possible first since 2007 in the offensive line: With redshirt freshmen Jeremiah Kolone and Nate Velichko listed as the possible starters at left and right guard, respectively, they could be the first pair of freshman to start at the two guard positions since 2007. That year, true freshman Moa Ngatuvai earned the starting right guard for the season opener. Fred Koloto, also a true freshman, started at left guard for the third game in 2007 before finishing the season as the starting left tackle.
One of the youngest offensive lines: Left tackle Wes Schweitzer and center David Peterson are the only San José State offensive linemen with starting experience. Their 23 starts rank San José State as fourth fewest among FBS schools at the start of the season.
More potential first time starters: Besides quarterback Blake Jurich and offensive guards Jeremiah Kolone and Nate Velichko, five other Spartans are in line for their first major college start. Freshman Michael Carrizosa is listed as the number-one punter.
| Offense | Defense | Special Teams |
| LG Jeremiah Kolone | DE Adrian Blake | P Michael Carrizosa |
| RG Nate Velichko | LB William Ossai | |
| RT Evan Sarver | SS Akeem King | |
| QB Blake Jurich | ||
| RB Thomas Tucker |
Game Promotions:
Season ticket holders will have an opportunity to redeem the vouchers sent to them for a commemorative Bill Walsh bobblehead. San Jose State University students with a valid Tower ID card can claim a voucher for a Bill Walsh bobblehead by entering the Student Gate on the East side of the stadium.
The Spartan Stadium Family Friendly Zone will be open during the game. Face painting and inflatable bouncers will be available for youngsters of all ages.
KGO TV (Channel 7, San Francisco) weekday news anchor Dan Ashley will offer his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner during pregame festivities.
After the game's conclusion, a six-minute postgame fireworks show is planned.