Oct. 9, 2016
Upcoming game (Game 7):
San José State vs. Nevada
Saturday, October 15, 2016
CEFCU Stadium - Home of the Spartans, San José, Calif., 7:30 p.m. (PT)
CBS Sports Network
San José State record: 1-5, 0-2 Mountain West. The Spartans lost their fourth game in a row, 34-17, to Hawai'i on October 8.
Nevada record: 3-3, 1-1 Mountain West. The Wolf Pack ended a two-game losing streak by defeating Fresno State, 27-22, on October 8.
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-Nevada game. Rich Waltz calls the play-by-play. Former San Francisco 49ers defensive back Eric Davis is the analyst. Cassie McKinney returns to San José as the sideline reporter. The CBS Sports Network telecast begins at 7:30 p.m. (PT).
The CBS Sports Network is available on:
AT&T Uverse Channels 643, 1643 HD
Comcast/XFinity Channels 418, 732 HD
DirecTV Channel 221
DISH Network Channels 158, 158 HD
Series history: Nevada leads the series dating back to 1899, 19-8-2. The Wolf Pack have wins in the last seven meeting between these teams including a 37-34 overtime victory in Reno last year. San José State's last win in the series was a 27-24 decision in San José on November 24, 2007.
Seeking first 2016 Mountain West win: After losing its first two Mountain West contests, San José State aims for its first conference victory in 2016 against Nevada. In its first three seasons as a Mountain West member, the Spartans' first conference win came against Hawai'i in 2013, UNLV in 2014 and Fresno State in 2015 - all West Division opponents.
Pass rush adds up: San José State has 11 quarterback sacks after six games. The Spartans began the season with four quarterback sacks in the Tulsa game. A year ago, the Spartans did not get their 11h sack until the tenth game of the season. Linebacker Frank Ginda is the team leader with three. Defensive linemen Nick Oreglia, Bryson Bridges, Owen Roberts and Isaiah Irving each have two.
Three leading rushers: Malik Roberson became the third San José State running back to lead the team in rushing in a game this season when he rushed for 91 yards on a career-high 19 carries.
Deontae Cooper was the team's leading rusher in the Tulsa (19 for 43 yards), Portland State (18 for 126 yards, 1 TD) and Utah (12 for 45 yards).
Zamore Zigler led the Spartans in rushing in the Iowa State (24 for 104 yards) and New Mexico (9 for 91 yards, 1 TD) games.
San José State stays in top-25 for turnovers gained: With two fumble recoveries in the October 8 game vs. Hawai'i, San José State remains in the top-25 for turnovers gained. The Spartans' are tied for 22nd among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools with 12 turnovers gained .
Ginda with two Spartan firsts since 2012: Linebacker Frank Ginda became the first San José State player since cornerback Bene Benwikere in the 2012 win at New Mexico State on November 10 to recover a fumble and return it for a touchdown with his 19-yard return against Hawai'i on October 8.
Ginda and Benwikere are the last two Spartans to force a fumble that resulted in a turnover and recover a fumble on separate plays in the same game. Benwikere did it in the October 20, 2012 win at UTSA. Ginda's game vs. Hawai'i included a forced fumble that resulted in a turnover gained after his fumble return for a touchdown.
Season best punt return average: San José State had its best day of the 2016 season returning punts in the Hawai'i game on October 8. Punt returner Thai Cottrell was credited with returns of 22 and 20 yards. The last time the Spartans had two punt returns in a game of 20 or more yards was against North Dakota in the 2014 season opener. Current Houston Texans running back Tyler Ervin had returns of 40 yards for a touchdown and a second one of 33. In 2016, San José State is averaging 4.9 yards per return.
Improved kick return coverage: San José State is ranked second in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in defending kickoff returns at 14.20 yards per return. In his first season as the Spartans' kickoff specialist, Michael Carrizosa has 23 touchbacks credited in 31 kickoffs (74.2 percent). A year ago, the Spartans finished 118th in kickoff yards per return allowing 25.3 per return and had 27 touchbacks on 69 attempts (39.1 percent). Heading into the Nevada game, Spartan opponents have five kickoff returns for 71 yards. UTEP, New Mexico, and Auburn are the three Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools with fewer opponent kickoff returns at three each.