SAN JOSE, Calif. - Viliami Teu had two touchdowns on the ground, and Daniel Rolovich completed 16-of-27 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown in his third career start to lead San José State (5-5, 3-3 MW) in a 30-19 win over NIU (0-9, 0-5 MW) Saturday afternoon from CEFCU Stadium, presented by Webcor.
San José State jumped in front early behind a 5-yard touchdown run from Teu, followed by a 25-yard field goal from Trajan Sinatra. Sinatra added a 46-yard field goal early in the second quarter to give the Spartans a 13-0 advantage.
Northern Illinois answered with two touchdowns to tie the game at 13-13, but Sinatra connected on a 22-yard field goal with 1:37 remaining in the first half to send San José State into halftime with a 16-13 lead.
The Spartans took control in the third quarter. Teu scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a 1-yard run, and Rolovich connected with Dominique McKenzie, who became a father earlier in the week, for a 29-yard touchdown just 3:23 later. The two scores pushed San José State’s lead to 30-13.
Northern Illinois added a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but the Spartans’ defense held firm to secure the win.
McKenzie led San José State’s receiving corps with 71 yards on two catches, including his 29-yard touchdown reception. Teu finished with 42 rushing yards, while Jabari Bates added 33 yards on 10 carries.
San José State’s defense recorded five sacks and forced two turnovers. Dylan Lee intercepted a pass and finished with 10 tackles, while Caleb Womack recorded 10 tackles and recovered a muffed punt. Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa led the Spartans with 11 tackles.
- The Spartans have had two opening-drive touchdowns this year, both with Rolovich at quarterback
- This was the first time the Spartans have scored on their first three drives since Oct. 3, 2025, in a win against New Mexico
- Teu now has five touchdowns on the season, all coming in his last four games
- This is Teu’s second game of the season with multiple touchdowns
- McKenzie’s touchdown was the first of his career
- McKenzie’s 71 yards receiving was also a career-high
- Carson Clark finished with 47 yards on six receptions, extending his streak of five or more receptions to an SJSU freshman record of 10 games
- Jerry McClure tallied four receptions for 48 yards
- Womack’s 10 tackles were a career-high, and his fumble recovery was the first of his career
- Lee’s interception was his fourth of the season, and he now has an interception in back-to-back games
- Naseri Danielson recorded his first career sack
- Jeremiah Tuiileila had a sack, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble in the game
- Tuiileila now has 4.5 sacks, 8.0 tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles on the season
- Jayland McGlothen notched a sack, giving him seven on the season
- Auma Jennings also notched a sack, his second of the season
- Justin Stearns and Aizik Mahuka each had a half sack
- Etu Finau had a tackle for a loss, his second of the season
- Jackson Barton had a half tackle for a loss, the first of his career
- Trent Carrizosa had five punts, placing four of them inside the 20
- Sinatra has made three field goals in back-to-back games
- Sinatra is the first SJSU kicker to have made three or more field goals in back-to-back games since Bryce Crawford in 2016
UP NEXT: The Spartans will face Air Force on Saturday, Nov. 14, from Falcon Stadium at 4:00 p.m. (PT). You can watch the game on CBS Sports Network.
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