Utah State resumes its 2025 season after a shorter-than-normal pause thanks to playing on Friday. It’s also homecoming, both with the festivities and the fact that this is the first time the Aggies are playing on Merlin Olsen Field since Sept. 20. Utah State is coming off a loss at Hawaii, though their opponent tonight, San Jose State, is also coming off a loss last Saturday at Wyoming.
Homecoming night matchup with SJSU looking like must-win for Utah State
Here’s all the information you’ll need, basic game info to player availability, quick stats and predictions from Cache Valley Media Group staff.
Game Info:Kickoff:Â 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)Location:Â Merlin Olsen Field (Logan, UT)TV Broadcast/Stream:Â CBS Sports NetworkRadio:Â KVNU (102.1 FM, 610 AM), kvnutalk.com, KVNU mobile app
KVNU Aggie Gameday pregame show with Stockton Jewkes and J.D. Walker: Begins 5 p.m. on 102.1 FM, 610 AM
KVNU Aggie Call Postgame:Â Starts immediately after Coach Bronco Mendenhall’s post-game comments.
Text (435) 554-1175 or call (435) 753-5868 during the pregame or postgame show to give your thoughts and reactions for the game.Availability Report
The following is the official availability report submitted by both Utah State and San Jose State earlier this week. It will be updated three hours prior to the scheduled kickoff time.
Utah State Availability Report (Week 8)
Player
Position
Status (Duration)
D’Andre Barnes
DB
Questionable
William Holmes
DE
Questionable
Chika Ebunoha
S
OUT (Full Game)
Jake Eichorn
OL
OUT (Full Game)
Enoka Migao
DE
OUT (Full Game)
Carl Nesmith
DE
OUT (Full Game)
Nu’uletau Sellesin
OLB
OUT (Full Game)
Corey Thompson Jr.
WR
OUT (Full Game)
Chase Tuatagaloa
TE
OUT (Full Game)
Courage Ugo
CB
OUT (Full Game)
Jack Hadfield
CB
OUT (Season)
Demick Starling
WR
OUT (Season)
Clyde Tualapapa
RB
OUT (Season)
San Jose State Availability Report (Week 8)
Player
Position
Status (Duration)
Walker Eget
QB
Questionable
John Norwood
DL
Questionable
Danny Scudero
WR
Questionable
Vili Taufatofua
DE
Questionable
Joseph Bey
DB
OUT (Full Game)
Mata Hola
DL
OUT (Full Game)
Daniel Moleni
OL
OUT (Full Game)
Jabari Bates
RB
OUT (Season)
Greco Carrillo
CB
OUT (Season)
Zane Carter
LB
OUT (Season)
Malachi Riley
WR
OUT (Season)
Two names on USU’s defense were added to this week’s report. Cornerback D’Andre Barnes and EDGE William Holmes are both questionable. San Jose State also has two key players listed as questionable: Quarterback Walker Eget and star WR Danny Scudero. Both were banged up during the Spartans’ loss at Wyoming last week. SJSU is also down its top two running backs, Jabari Bates (27 att, 192 yards, 2 TD) and Floyd Chalk (35 att, 141 yards, 2 TD). The former is out for the season due to injury while Chalk has opted to redshirt with an intention to transfer.
Offense and Defense Rankings
FEI Adjusted Offensive Efficiency
Utah State: 66thSan Jose State: 94th
FEI Adjusted Defensive Efficiency
Utah State: 118thSan Jose State: 89thStat Leaders
Passing Leaders
Utah State: Bryson Barnes — 99/155 (63.9%), 1,318 yards, 12 TD, 2 INTSan Jose State: Walker Eget — 143/231 (61.9%), 1,809 yards, 13 TD, 3 INT
Rushing Leaders
Utah State: Miles Davis — 65 attempts, 416 yards (6.4 yds/att), 3 TDSan Jose State: Lamar Radcliffe — 34 attempts, 124 yards (3.6 yds/att), 0 TD
Receiving Leaders
Utah State: Braden Pegan — 27 receptions, 453 yards (16.8 yds/rec), 4 TDSan Jose State: Danny Scudero — 50 receptions, 845 yards (16.9 yds/rec), 8 TD
Defensive Leaders
Utah State: John Miller — 53 tackles (17 solo), 6.5 TFL, 5.5 sacksSan Jose State: Jordan Pollard — 49 tackles (22 solo), 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 fumble recoveryHistory of Utah State vs San Jose StateAll-Time Series: San Jose State leads 21-20-1Series During MW era: Utah State leads 6-1Most Recent Meeting: Oct. 21, 2023 (San Jose State won 42-21)
The most recent meeting was the first time the Spartans had defeated the Aggies since 2008. It also spoiled USU’s chance to take its first-ever lead in the series against SJSU. At this point, with the series likely going on hold with Utah State’s move to the Pac-12, the best it can do is tie things back up again at 21 wins apiece.
Quick Facts to KnowSan Jose State has not won a game in Logan since 2007Utah State has won five consecutive games at home, including a 3-0 mark this seasonUSU offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven spent seven seasons at San Jose State, six of those as the offensive coordinator and last year was the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach.Four of San Jose State’s assistant coaches — Derrick Odum (defensive coordinator), Bojay Filimoeatu (inside linebackers coach), Al Lapuaho (defensive line coach) and Michael Smith (running backs coach) — are either former USU players or former assistants in Logan. Filimoeatu, Lapuaho and Smith were all players on Utah State’s 2011 team that broek a 14-year bowl game drought for the Aggies. Filimoeatu and Lapuaho were also on the 2012 USU team that won the WAC championship.Utah State tight ends coach Ali’i Niumatalolo is the son of San Jose State head coach Ken Niumatalolo.USU QB Bryson Barnes is one of 15 quarterbacks to have run for at least six rushing touchdowns this season. He is also sixth in FBS in points responsible for per game (18.7).SJSU WR Danny Scudero is coming off a record-setting performance against Wyoming in which he had four receiving touchdowns. It set the Spartans’ program record and tied the Mountain West record.SJSU QB Walker Eget is fifth in FBS with his average of 301.5 passing yards per gameGame Prediction
Here are the score predictions from Cache Valley Media Group staff, including Eric Frandsen and Jason Walker of the Full Court Press (4-6 p.m. weekdays on 106.9 FM, 1390 AM The FAN), along with Craig Hislop of KVNU, and Stockton Jewkes and J.D. Walker of the KVNU Aggie Gameday pregame show. Included are the season record and prediction metric score for each individual. The prediction score is on a scale of 0-1.
Jason Walker (5-1 overall, .477 prediction score) — Utah State wins 41-37
Eric Frandsen (5-1, .473 prediction score) — Utah State wins 33-27
Craig Hislop (5-1, .457 prediction score) — Utah State wins 35-24
J.D. Walker (4-2, .413 prediction score) — Utah State wins 35-17
Stockton Jewkes (5-1, .380 prediction score) — Utah State wins 38-31