San Jose State blasts Kennesaw State: Nash’s record performance, defense steps up and more
SAN JOSE – Nick Nash fumbled on the second play of San Jose State’s game Saturday against Kennesaw State after a 30-yard reception, sending the Spartans sideline in disarray.
The Spartans echo a message that the only thing in their way is themselves. So a self-inflicted error on the first drive was the last thing they wanted.
“I hate to say it but that early fumble, I think it made me mad obviously but made me really lock in and go attack the ball, tuck it away and secure it,” Nash said.
Nash would go on to secure the ball 16 more times to surpass the school record for receptions in a regular season game. His 225 yards and three touchdowns were the catalyst for San Jose State’s (3-0, 1-0 Mountain West) 31-10 victory over Kennesaw State (0-3).
“This offense is designed to get our slot receivers the ball. He’s a playmaker and he goes up and makes plays like we saw today,” said SJSU quarterback Emmett Brown.
Brown also set career highs, going 26-for-38 with 355 passing yards and four touchdowns.
“I thought this was his best game,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said of Brown.
This win also makes Niumatalolo the first head coach since Lynn Styles in 1976 to start 3-0 at San Jose State.
With Nash commanding attention in the middle of the field, Brown had the luxury of airing the ball on the boundary to Justin Lockhart.
A 35-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter was one of his four catches for 106 yards. It was the first time two Spartans had 100-yard receiving games since 2019 when Bailey Gaither (208) and Tre Walker (107) did it against UNLV.
The “Spread N’ Shred” offense continues to flex its big-play ability with eight plays of 20 yards or more. Seven of those plays were throws to Nash or Lockhart.
“If you look at us on tape, pick your poison,” Niumatalolo said when discussing whether to cover Nash or Lockhart.
Nothing new on defense
San Jose State has held its opponent below 200 yards of total offense in each of the last two games.
Kennesaw State attempted to run the ball 39 times but generated just 64 yards. The longest rush of the day was a read option from quarterback Davis Bryson for 12 yards.
Bryson finished 14-for-22 with 128 passing yards and an interception.
Mountain West defensive player of the week Jordan Pollard intercepted that pass, the first of his career. Pollard also managed 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack to his stat line but believes there’s more to build on.
“I don’t think I had a great game, to be honest. There’s a lot of things I could have done better,” Pollard said when asked what he thought he did best Saturday. “I’d say doing my job and letting everyone else eat, just playing my role in the defense.”
Even when both teams waved their white flags and put the backups in, the Spartans forced two more turnovers.
Transfer safety Larry Turner-Gooden forced a fumble that was questioned for targeting but ultimately ruled clean. The next and final drive for the Owls ended with an interception for junior Jalen Bainer to seal the deal.
“To our defense’s credit, they kept battling. They’re doing a great job of getting turnovers. We just got to do a way better job on offense of holding onto the ball,” Niumatalolo said.
Playing down early
In an echo of the season opener that saw two early turnovers, San Jose State lost three fumbles in the first half to give Kennesaw State life. All of them came after the catch or on punt returns.
“Yes, we’d like to have the utopia game to start off perfect but if it doesn’t, you can’t quit,” Niumatalolo said.
To the Spartans’ credit, they have battled back each time and won both games convincingly. But not every game is against an FCS opponent or first-year FBS school.
This was also the first game Brown did not throw an interception.
“It’s all the little stuff that we need to tighten up if we want to win next week,” Niumatalolo said.
Potential offensive line continuity
Brown had been put on his butt several times in games prior but Saturday was a change: One sack and no quarterback hits.
“I thought it was our best performance of our offensive line,” Niumatalolo said.
Uluakinofo Taliauli and Denaris DeRosa Jr. rotated at right guard through the first half, stepping in for Marist Talavou. Talavou was suspended from playing in the first half due to a targeting penalty sustained against Air Force.
Jabari Bates and Lamar Radcliffe managed to rush for 80 yards combined but the team totaled just 61.
Keeping Brown upright will be a priority moving forward.
Up next
San Jose State will test its undefeated record against a Pac-12 opponent traveling to Pullman, Washington to face Washington State, Brown’s former school, Friday night.
The Cougars are also 3-0 and are coming off a 24-19 victory over their rivals Washington in the Apple Cup.
When asked Saturday if he’d already started thinking about next week’s game, Brown said, “I’d be lying if I said no.”