Date/Time: Friday, August 29, 2025 – 7:30 PM PDT
Location: CEFCU Stadium, San Jose, CA
Broadcast: FS1
Radio: 860 KTRB AM (SF Bay Area)
Head-to-Head: The teams are 1-1. In 1979, the Chippewas edged the Spartans 34-32 at then Spartan Stadium. In the 1990 California Bowl, SJSU defeated Central Michigan 48-24.
Spread: -11.5 in favor of SJSU
San Jose State steps onto CEFCU field Friday night with big expectations that Spartan QB Walker Eget will continue the trajectory of a pass-heavy offense.
Last season, SJSU
was first in the FBS with a 64% pass play rate and was top‑5 in passing yards per game.
The team and coaches are highly confident that Eget will lead the way this season.
But this Friday night lights game expects the physicality of a run game. Or at least a great desire to.
“I want to see our offensive line and running backs play physical this game,” said OC Craig Stuzmann. “That and the running game have been big points of emphasis for us.”
For several months, it’s become more and more evident the Spartans really want to run. And there’s substance behind it.
Dare we say the Spartans are “stacked” in the running back room with Jabari Bates, Floyd Chalk IV and Lamar Radcliffe — small, medium and large veteran bodies that can effectively pierce a defense fronted by a veteran offensive line.
But the realists would say, “you were a 130th-ranked run game last year.”
Spartan head coach Ken Niumatalolo, a realist himself, would likely say, “We’ll have to see.”
“We don’t expect anything but a physical team coming out here,” said Niumatalolo. “We’re going to have to play well up front and stop their run, which is easier said than done. And yes, we’re going to have to find a way to be physical in our run game too.”
The Chippewas
For relative comparison, Central Michigan (CMU) of the Mid-America Conference (MAC) wasn’t among the top picks of the litter in their pre-season polls; given first-year head coach Matt Drinkall and staff expect to have transition challenges on both the cultural and personnel fronts.
In 2024, CMU finished 4-8 with zero road wins.
That’s the so-called negative.
“Coach Drinkall is great coach who got this job with the success he achieved from Army,” said Niumatalolo. “He brought some good Army coaches with him and we recognize their physicality up front. It will be a big part of the game that we’ve prepared for.”
The Chippewas boast the typical Midwest toughness and tradition of brute force and pure size.
“All the MAC teams are big and physical,” said defensive coordinator Derrick Odum. “We’ve faced a few teams from that conference a few times and Central Michigan is definitely a big physical group. Their offensive line is ginormous and their backs and tight ends are big too.”
The Chippewa offense expects to run through Marion Lukes, a three-time All-MAC selection at running back and a valid NFL-potential return-man, who has almost 4,000 combined all-purpose yards in his career.
The defensive side of the ball for CMU not only has size but two core All-MAC selections with linebackers Jordan Kwiatkowski and Dakota Cochran.
“We basically have to be ready to go right from the jump to deal with that physicality,” said Odum. ”That’s been a big emphasis going into this game.“
Spartan keys to the game
SJS’ spread-and-shred offense is built on rhythm and efficiency. If the Spartans can string together drives, maintain pace, and avoid turnovers, it should prevent CMU from a grind game.
The Spartans need to then convert drives into touchdowns rather than field goals in a game that is equally projected to be tight and possession-oriented regardless of the point spread.
“Getting lined up with no pre-snap penalties; our guys’ eyes in the right spot; playing clean football; using the techniques they’ve been taught the last 10 months; and playing physical up front is what I’m expecting and looking for,” said Stuzmann.
Early down success through the air could also soften Central Michigan’s run-stopping front and open up some balance, as/if it emerges.
On defense, expect the Chippewas to test SJSU’s defensive front with Lukes early and often. If the Spartan defense holds, it can limit play-action shots to very capable CMU receivers such as Jesse Prewitt III.
Overall defensive containment will need to happen through anticipation and vision; a.k.a. LBs Jordan Pollard and Taniela Latu. Gang tackling against a Chippewa offense that leans on physicality will lean right back with the likes of DLs Gafa Faga, Quincy Likio and Solomone Langi.
“The communication piece is also always big, especially on defense. You can’t talk enough,” emphasized Odum. “I feel good with what we’re going to show up with Friday night.”
Spartan coverage units will obviously need to be aware of Lukes in the return game to limit big field position swings.
“The game is going to be won up front this week,” Niumatalolo said bluntly.
Spartan values embodied long-term
In starting year two of the Niumatalolo era is the entirety of San Jose State football’s near future and beyond. A worthwhile investment on all fronts on and off the field at one of the top-tier public universities in the nation.
“I’ve been doing this for 36 years and I still couldn’t sleep last night,” said Niumatalolo on the question of keeping things fresh after so long. “My mind is still and always racing with things to improve the team and this program.”
Luckily, Director of Football Operations Clesi Crochet is always there to capture and quantify Niumatalolo’s flow of ideas to turn into presentations for the team and coaches.
“Clesi helps me so much. I put a lot of pressure on her when our meetings start early and I’m coming to her with my thoughts at 6:30 in the morning,” said a grateful Niumatalolo.
Also in a first-ever protocol change, at least in the last 10 years, Spartan weekly pressers now include the OC and DC. As Odum and Stutzmann reflect the soul and spirit of Niumatalolo, they all also embody a respectful blood-thirstiness to win.
Niumatalolo added, “I’m always thinking of stuff. What does this team need? How can we improve? And then there’s certain quotes or videos or a talk or anything I want to share — I’ve been doing this so long and you still think of different avenues to reach people.”
It’s a way of life and a way of existence — to never rest on your laurels — human values beyond any NIL value that can pay out forever.
“It’s hard to feel confident about anything, because you’re still just nervous, even at my age,” reflected Niumatalolo never resting on his laurels. “I feel if your nerves leave after all that time and you feel you’ve arrived, you can just get crushed.”
Starting off the 2025 season, Sparta will see if their team can crush it Friday night.
