Oct. 23, 2016
Upcoming game (Game #9):
San José State vs. UNLV
Saturday, October 29, 2016,
CEFCU Stadium, San José, Calif., 7:30 p.m. (PT)
CBS Sports Network
San José State record: 2-6, 1-3 Mountain West. The Spartans split their last two games defeating Nevada, 14-10, on October 15 and losing to San Diego State, 42-3, on October 21.
UNLV record: 3-5, 2-2 Mountain West. The Rebels alternated wins and losses in their last five games starting with a 33-30 overtime home loss to Idaho on September 24. Most recently, UNLV lost to Colorado State, 42-23, on October 22.
Series history: San José State leads the series, 14-5-1 on the field. The series history between these teams does not reflect a UNLV forfeit to San José State from the 1984 game won on the field by the Rebels.
The Spartans have wins in the last six meetings between these teams including a 33-27 overtime victory at Sam Boyd Stadium in 2015. UNLV's last win in the series was a 23-10 victory in Las Vegas on October 29, 1994, the same day as this year's contest. The Rebels have two wins in San José - a 28-14 decision in 1993 and a 16-6 triumph in the first meeting between these schools on September 5, 1981.
In 20 meetings, these teams played overtime contests twice. San José State's first overtime game in program history was a 55-48 win over UNLV on November 22, 1997 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
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 provides commentary. Air time for the KLIV broadcast is 7:00 p.m. (PT).
Television: The CBS Sports Network will televise the San José State-UNLV game. Dwayne Ballen calls the play-by-play. Randy Cross offers analysis. Taylor Rooks is the sideline reporter. The CBS Sports Network telecast begins at 7:30 p.m. (PT).
Tying the San José State-UNLV knot: UNLV middle linebacker Ryan McAleenan began his college career at San José State in 2012 and spent the season as a redshirt. He transferred to the College of the Canyons and played one season before enrolling at UNLV.
The UNLV coaching staff has three former San José State assistant coaches and a one-time Spartan staff assistant.
UNLV defensive coordinator Kent Baer was San José State's interim head coach for its 2012 Military Bowl victory over Bowling Green. Baer was on the Spartans' staff during the 2008 through 2012 seasons.
UNLV special teams coordinator and safeties coach Andy LaRussa had similar responsibilities at San José State during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
UNLV cornerbacks coach J.D. Williams was the Spartans' cornerbacks coach in 1999.
David Orloff, now in his second season as a Rebel graduate assistant, earned his bachelor's degree from San José State and was a football staff assistant as an undergraduate.
A possible Silver State sweep: A San José State win over UNLV would give the Spartans a sweep of the two Nevada-based Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools in one season for the first time. On October 15, San José State defeated Nevada, 14-10. Previously, the best San José State accomplished in one season against the two Nevada-based universities was splits in 1992, 1995, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
No turnovers lately: San José State enters the UNLV game playing eight consecutive quarters and two complete games without committing a turnover. The last time the Spartans gave away the football was on a pass interception in the fourth quarter of the October 8 loss to Hawai'i. In 2015, San José State played 13 consecutive quarters over portions of the last four regular-season games without a turnover. The last San José State team to play three consecutive games without a turnover was the 1998 Spartans. That squad beat New Mexico, lost to Virginia and defeated Rice in games three through five with no turnovers on 174 offensive plays.
San José State stays in top-25 for turnovers gained: With a Frank Ginda interception in the October 21 game at San Diego State, San José State remains in the top-25 for turnovers gained. The Spartans' are tied for 16th among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools with 15 turnovers gained. San José State now is in its eighth week of being in the top-25 for turnovers gained. The Spartans were as high as sixth nationally following games played through September 10 and September 17.
Spartans exceed 2015 regular season sack total: San José State has 14 quarterback sacks after eight games - one more than the Spartans had a year ago at the end of the regular season. The Spartans added a season-high four sacks in their AutoNation Cure Bowl win to finish 2015 with 17.
All-season starters: After eight games, only four Spartans, linemen Jeremiah Kolone and Troy Kowalski, running back Shane Smith and defensive tackle Owen Roberts started in every game. Forty (40) players have at least one starting call this season. Last year, 34 Spartans started at least one game. The last time more than 40 players started at least one San José State game in a season was in 2014 when 43 players did it.