SAN JOSE, Calif. – Luke Weaver threw three touchdown passes and Jabari Bates rushed for a career-high 163 yards to lead San José State (2-1, 0-0 MW) in a 30-20 win over Cal Poly (2-1, 1-0 Big Sky) on Saturday night at CEFCU Stadium.
The Spartans finished with a season-high 493 yards of total offense, including 255 on the ground. Weaver completed 22-of-34 passes for 238 yards without an interception while adding 44 rushing yards.
Bates paced the ground game with 163 yards on 27 carries, averaging 6.0 yards per attempt. Carson Clark caught a team and career-high eight passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns, while Cooper Hoch added seven receptions for 77 yards and a score.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Cal Poly struck first on a 2-yard rushing touchdown early in the second. San José State responded immediately with a six-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Weaver’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Clark.
Trajan Sinatra gave the Spartans a 10-6 advantage with a 44-yard field goal before adding a 32-yarder with two seconds remaining in the half to send SJSU into the locker room with a 13-6 lead.
Cal Poly tied the game early in the third quarter, but the Spartans answered again. Weaver connected with Hoch for a 2-yard touchdown to complete a 10-play, 49-yard drive and put San José State back in front, 20-13.
The Mustangs pulled even at 20-20 with 14:29 remaining, but Dominique McKenzie returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards to set the Spartans up in Cal Poly territory. Sinatra converted a 40-yard field goal six plays later to give SJSU the lead for good.
Cal Poly threatened to respond before Caleb Womack intercepted Anthony Grigsby Jr. in the end zone with 10:20 remaining. The Spartans capitalized with an 80-yard scoring drive, as Weaver found Clark for a 41-yard touchdown to extend the advantage to 30-20.
San José State’s defense sealed the win by forcing a turnover on downs with 3:01 remaining. The Spartans held Cal Poly to 91 rushing yards, recorded four sacks and intercepted two passes. Womack led SJSU with nine tackles and an interception, while Greco Carrillo also picked off a pass in the red zone during the first quarter.
- The Spartans rushed for 255 yards, the most in a game since they rushed for 313 yards against Fresno State on Nov. 11, 2023
- This is also the first time the Spartans recorded more rushing yards than receiving yards since they defeated San Diego State 24-13 on Nov. 18, 2023, and the first time under head coach Ken Niumatalolo
- The Spartans have rushed for at least 100 yards in six straight games dating back to last season
- The Spartans have at least one interception in all three games this season
- Weaver has thrown multiple touchdown passes in all three games this season
- Clark’s two touchdown receptions were the first two of his career
- Bates has now rushed for 100 or more yards in back-to-back games, becoming the first Spartan to accomplish the feat since Kairee Robinson in 2023
- This is also Bates’ third career game rushing for 100-plus yards
- Jordan Anderson’s 39-yard reception in the second quarter was a career-long
- Womack’s interception was the first of his career
- Womack’s nine tackles were also a career-high
- Carillo’s interception was also the first of his career
- Ethan Powell finished with seven tackles, a half sack and a career-high 1.5 tackles for a loss
- Aizik Mahuka recorded his first sack of the season and 1.5 tackles for a loss
- Jayland McGlothen and Justin Stearns recorded their first sacks of the season
- Jeremiah Tuiileila had a half sack, the first of his career
- Anthony Ivey’s 33-yard punt return was a career-long
- McKenzie’s 54-yard kickoff return was also a career-long
- Sinatra made a season-high three field goals
UP NEXT: The Spartans will play Fresno State, presented by Habbas Law, on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 8:00 p.m. at CEFCU Stadium. The game can be watched on FS1.
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