SAN JOSE – San Jose State’s losing drought against Fresno State was extended to three games after a 26-10 loss in the 89th edition of the Battle For The Valley on Saturday night.
SJSU quarterback Luke Weaver struggled at CEFCU Stadium, throwing four interceptions, with three coming in the second half, including a pair during crunch time.
Trailing 16-10 with six minutes left, Weaver tested Fresno State cornerback Kiontre Harris on a deep 50/50 ball intended for speedster Anthony Ivey. Harris wound up outmuscling Ivey while intercepting the ball.
San Jose State Spartans’ Jabari Bates (6) runs with the ball against Fresno State Bulldogs’ Camrin Cole (13) and Fresno State Bulldogs’ Gerayas Grimes (27) in the second quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
After SJSU’s defense quickly forced a Bulldogs punt, the Spartans took over at their 15 with 3:50 remaining, still within a touchdown of reclaiming the Valley Trophy. Two plays later, Weaver was picked off again as he rolled right out of the pocket looking for wide receiver Jerry McClure. Vallejo native Simeon Harris jumped the route for the interception, pretty much ensuring the Bulldogs’ fifth win in their last six games against the Spartans.
“Luke’s been playing really well, obviously tonight wasn’t one of his better games. He can’t turn the ball over four times,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said.
Neither team moved the ball well in the first half as Fresno led 6-3 at the break. SJSU opened the second half going three-and-out, then Fresno State capitalized on a huge special teams play as Jordan Malau’ulu had a 68-yard punt return to the Spartans’ 14.
After a holding penalty, Bulldogs quarterback Jayden Mandal found Josiah Freeman on an 18-yard touchdown pass for a 13-3 lead just three minutes into the second half. Freeman, a 6-foot-4 senior receiver, led the Bulldogs with six catches for 96 yards.
The Spartans offense finally found its rhythm to begin the fourth quarter, with Weaver connecting with Ivey for a spectacular 28-yard catch to put SJSU on Fresno’s 2-yard line. SJSU scored its first and only touchdown when Weaver found Carson Clark on fourth-and-goal from the 1, scoring after a hard play action on a well-designed play that made the score 13-10 Fresno.
Ivey led the Spartans with a career-high 150 yards on nine catches while running back Jabari Bates nearly had his third straight 100 yard rushing game – he settled for 94 yards on 19 carries.
The Spartans offense began the second half with back to back three-and-outs and then a Weaver interception, leaving SJSU with just 60 total yards of offense with 3:50 left in the third quarter.
Fresno State celebrates with the Valley Trophy after winning against San Jose State Spartans at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Weaver finished the game with a respectable 244 passing yards while completing 21 of 38 passes. The Manteca product wasn’t able to hit consistently on his long passes, though, as three of his interceptions came on deep shots.
“Just leaving balls in bad spots; they got to be left outside for my guys to make a play,” Weaver said. ”Just gotta take care of the ball and just keep taking what they give us.”
With 50 seconds left in the first half, Fresno State kicker Manak Watanabe connected on a 51-yard field goal, one of his four field goals Saturday. SJSU responded with an efficient two-minute offense. Weaver connected with Ivey for back-to-back 19-yard completions, putting the team in field goal range at the Bulldogs’ 31.
Disaster struck for San Jose State with 16 seconds left, though. Weaver tested the Bulldogs’ deep coverage and his pass intended for Clark was picked off as the Bulldogs end the half with momentum.
It was a first half with little to no action on offense as Fresno State led 6-3 in a defensive battle as the teams combined for nine punts. San Jose scored on its opening possession on a 45-yard field goal by kicker Trajan Sinatra.
SJSU’s defense finished the opening half with three tackles for loss and one sack, allowing a combined 59 rushing yards. Fresno State had three tackles for loss and two sacks, and gave up 44 rushing yards.
“Going into this game, we knew they were a run-heavy team with a big tight-end personnel grouping scheme,” SJSU defensive lineman Justin Stearns said. “We knew we had to make them one dimensional make them throw the ball a little bit.”
Spartans receiver Cooper Hoch was held quiet for most of the night, with just two catches for 23 yards. Hoch came into the game with 14 catches for a team-leading 216 yards and three touchdowns.
The Spartans will head into their bye week with 2-2 record, preparing for their upcoming Mountain West schedule, beginning with a game at Hawaii on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Fresno State Bulldogs’ Camrin Cole (13) and Fresno State Bulldogs’ Loyall Mouzon (7) carry the Valley Trophy off the field after Fresno State wins against San Jose State Spartans at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose State Spartans’ Carson Clark (1) scores a touchdown against Fresno State in the fourth quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)