Sept. 28, 2015
Game 5
Upcoming game: San José State at Auburn Saturday, October 3, 2015, Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala., 3:01 p.m. (CT)/1:01 p.m. (PT) SEC Network
San José State record: 2-2, 1-1 Mountain West. Most recently, the Spartans won their first Mountain West game of the season, 49-23, over Fresno State on September 26
Auburn record: 2-2, 0-2 SEC. The Tigers lost at Mississippi State, 17-9, on September 26. Auburn has a two-game losing streak.
Series history: The Tigers lead the series, 1-0. Auburn, nationally-ranked #5 at the time, won the first meeting between these teams, 59-13, on September 6, 2014.
Television: The SEC Network will originate the San Jose State-Auburn game. Dave Neal calls the play-by-play. Matt Stinchcomb serves as the game analyst. Kayce Smith is the sideline reporter. The live telecast begins at 3:00 p.m. (CT)/1:00 p.m. (PT). The SEC Network is available on:
AT&T Uverse Channels 607, 1607 HD alternate channels 608, 609, 1608 HD, 1609 HD
Comcast/XFinity Channels 432, 824 HD
DirecTV Channel 611 DISH Network Channels 408 alternate channels 596, 597, 598, 599
Verizon FiOS Channels 75, 575 HD
Play-by-Play Radio Coverage: KLIV (1590 AM, San José) originates San José State football broadcasts. Justin Allegri calls the play-by-play. Kevin Richardson offered commentary. Air time for the KLIV broadcast is 12:30 p.m. (PT).
Series history: The Tigers lead the series, 1-0. Auburn, nationally-ranked #5 at the time, won the first meeting between these teams, 59-13, on September 6, 2014.
Spartans finish September at .500:  The 49-23 win over Fresno State gave San Jose State a 2-2 overall win-loss record and a 1-1 mark in Mountain West action. In the last 10 years, the Spartans finished September with at least two wins and a .500 or better record in 2006 (3-1), 2008 (3-2), 2012 (4-1) and 2015 (2-2).
Aiming for a winning record in October:  The last time a San Jose State team had a winning percentage above. 500 in October was after its October 26, 2013 Homecoming victory vs. Wyoming. The Spartans were 4-3 on that date en route to a 6-6 record.
Another chance at a non-conference road win:  The last time San Jose State won a regular season non-conference game on the road was a 12-0 decision at Navy on September 29, 2012. Since then, the Spartans lost at #5-Stanford, 34-13, and at Minnesota, 43-24, in 2013; 59-13 at #5-Auburn, and at Minnesota, 24-7, in 2014; and at Oregon State, 35-21.
Al Borges returns to Auburn:  San Jose State offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Al Borges had similar responsibilities during the 2004 through 2007 seasons at Auburn. In his four seasons, the Tigers compiled an overall 42-9 win-loss record and 26-6 in SEC games highlighted by the 2004 Auburn team that finished the season undefeated at 13-0. The Tigers' final Associated Press rankings were second in 2004, 14th in 2005, ninth in 2006 and 15th in 2007.
Season-high 291 rushing yards vs. Fresno State:  San Jose State's 291 rushing yards on 58 attempts in the Fresno State win are the most by the Spartans in a game since gaining 312 yards on 45 carries in a 34-24 win at UNLV on November 2, 2013. The last time San Jose State rushed 58 or more times in a game was in a 44-10 victory over Louisiana Tech, on October 28, 2006. That day, the Spartans rushed 58 times for 476 yards and four touchdowns.
30-plus first downs twice in 2015:  In San Jose State's two wins this season, the Spartans had 34 first downs against New Hampshire and 33 first downs against Fresno State. In the team's two losses at Air Force and at Oregon State, San Jose State had just 27 first downs combined. Recognized through the years as more of a pass-oriented team, the 2015 Spartans have more first downs rushing (49) than passing (42).
Ervin's exclamation point: Tyler Ervin set a San Jose State single-game rushing record with 300 yards gained on 42 carries in the win over Fresno State on September 26. Ervin's total broke the previous record of 286 set by Nathan DuPree in an October 31, 1992 game at UNLV and is the Football Bowl Subdivision's (FBS) top single-game mark this season in games through September 26. His 42 carries were a personal single game high. He previous high of 22 carries was in the 2014 Utah State game. With four pass receptions for 45 yards, Ervin accumulated 345 yards in all-purpose running against Fresno State. His all-purpose yardage total was more than Fresno State's 247 yards of total offense and is the FBS' top single-game total in 2015. Ervin's 46 touches (42 rushes, 4 receptions) against Fresno State exceeds his previous high of 33 touches in the September 19 game at Oregon State.