YPSILANTI, Mich. – Cooper Hoch hauled in two scores and Luke Weaver threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns to lead San José State football (1-1, 0-0 MW) to a 27-21 victory over Eastern Michigan (1-1, 1-0 MAC) on Friday at Rynearson Stadium.
Hoch finished with career-highs of five receptions for 115 yards, while Weaver completed 23 of 39 passes. The Spartans finished with 453 yards of total offense and overcame a four-point fourth-quarter deficit to secure the win.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Eastern Michigan struck first on a Noah Kim five-yard touchdown pass. Weaver answered late in the half, finding Jase Nix for a 27-yard score with 1:19 left. Trajan Sinatra then drilled a 45-yard field goal as time expired to send the Spartans into halftime with a 10-7 lead.
Eastern Michigan moved back in front on a 50-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. SJSU responded with a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped by Weaver’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Hoch, giving the Spartans a 17-14 advantage.
The Eagles reclaimed the lead when the Eagles’ returned a Weaver fumble one yard for a touchdown with 53 seconds remaining in the third quarter, setting the stage for SJSU’s fourth-quarter comeback.
Trailing 21-17, SJSU regained the lead with 11:19 remaining when Weaver connected with Hoch for a 40-yard touchdown.
The Spartans’ defense took over from there. Eastern Michigan managed just 25 yards in the final quarter and went 0-for-5 on third down. Dylan Lee intercepted Kim on fourth-and-2 with 1:59 remaining, setting up Sinatra’s 49-yard field goal to extend the SJSU advantage to six.
The Eagles’ final possession ended when the Spartans forced four consecutive incompletions, allowing SJSU to run out the clock.
Jabari Bates powered the Spartans’ ground game with 119 yards on 20 carries. Carson Clark added five receptions for 58 yards, and Nix caught two passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Lee recorded a team-high nine tackles, an interception, two pass breakups and a tackle for loss. Caleb Womack and Naseri Danielson added eight tackles apiece.
San José State outgained Eastern Michigan 453-281, held the Eagles to 3-of-16 on third down and stopped three of their four fourth-down attempts.
- This marks the first road win for the Spartans since Nov. 9, 2024 when they defeated Oregon State 24-13
- The win also ends the Spartans’ three game losing streak to MAC schools
- Hoch’s two touchdowns were the first and second of his career
- Hoch’s 51-yard reception in the second quarter was also a career-long
- This is also Hoch’s first career game with 100 receiving yards
- Weaver’s 316 passing yards set a new career-high and his three passing touchdowns tied his career-high
- Nix’s 27-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was the first catch of his career
- Kamaehu Kopa-Kaawalauole recorded the first reception of his career
- Bates recorded his second career game with 100 or more rushing yards and his first of the season
- Lee’s nine tackles set a new career-high and his interception was the first of his career
- Womack’s eight tackles tied his career-high
- Danielson, Jayden Robertson and Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa all had two pass breakups each
- Jeremiah Tuiileila had a 14-yard tackle for loss
- Justin Stearns had a half tackle for loss and three QB hits
- Etu Finau had a career-high six tackles
- Trent Carrizosa punted seven times for 291 yards and had three punts placed inside the 20
- Sinatra went 2-for-2 on field goals, hitting from 45 and 49, and 3-for-3 on PATs
UP NEXT: The Spartans will face Cal Poly for their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. PT at CEFCU Stadium. The game can be watched on MW+.
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