{"id":462479,"date":"2026-09-13T10:58:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T10:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/462479\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T10:58:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T10:58:16","slug":"san-jose-state-heats-up-in-fourth-quarter-to-turn-back-cal-poly-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/462479\/","title":{"rendered":"San Jose State heats up in fourth quarter to turn back Cal Poly"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN JOSE \u2014 San Jose State<\/a> opened its home schedule with a 30-20 victory<\/a> over Cal Poly on Saturday night at CEFCU Stadium.<\/p>\n

The Spartans (2-1) overcame another slow start, scoring no points in the first quarter for the third consecutive game before quarterback Luke Weaver helped lead the offense in the second half.<\/p>\n

Weaver finished with 238 passing yards and three touchdowns, completing 22 of 34 attempts.<\/p>\n

The biggest play came with 7:20 remaining, when Weaver found true freshman Carson Clark for a 41-yard touchdown pass that gave San Jose State a 30-20 lead.<\/p>\n

Clark recorded the first two touchdowns of his career, finishing with eight catches for 81 yards to lead the Spartans in both categories.<\/p>\n

\"SanSan Jose State Spartans\u2019 Dominique McKenzie (4) runs with the ball against the Cal Poly Mustangs during the first quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Kicker Trajan Sinatra, who missed his first two field-goal attempts in a San Jose State uniform, connected on a 40-yard field goal with 11:59 remaining to give the Spartans a 23-20 lead.<\/p>\n

Running back Jabari Bates also continued his strong start to the season. After rushing for 119 yards on 20 carries last week against Eastern Michigan, Bates rushed for a career-high 163 yards on 27 carries Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just trusting my O-line, trusting my moves and then everything played out for me,\u201d Bates said.<\/p>\n

Added coach\u00a0Ken Niumatalolo, \u201cThe way they were playing, they were giving us the run and we were patient that way. That\u2019s going to bode well for us since we can definitely throw the football.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wide receiver Cooper Hoch followed up his 115-yard, two-touchdown performance against Eastern Michigan with seven catches for 77 yards. He also scored a touchdown, catching a 2-yard pass from Weaver with 4:29 left in the third quarter to give San Jose State a 20-13 lead.<\/p>\n

The win marked San Jose State\u2019s seventh consecutive victory against an FCS opponent and its seventh home-opening win in the last nine seasons. Cal Poly (2-1) suffered its first loss of the season.<\/p>\n

The Spartans\u2019 night got off to a rocky start when Weaver fumbled on San Jose State\u2019s opening drive. Weaver scrambled for 4 yards before Cal Poly defensive lineman Kaleb Pleis knocked the ball loose. Cornerback Brayden Breedlove recovered for the Mustangs at the San Jose State 32-yard line.<\/p>\n

\"SanSan Jose State Spartans\u2019 Greco Carrillo (10) intercepts the ball with San Jose State Spartans\u2019 Pierce Walker (13) intended for Cal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Sam Whelan (12) during the first quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

San Jose State\u2019s defense quickly responded.<\/p>\n

On third-and-15, Cal Poly quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr. threw a pass that was deflected by San Jose State safety Pierce Walker and intercepted by sophomore cornerback Greco Carrillo, the first interception of Carrillo\u2019s career.<\/p>\n

Grigsby threw for 249 passing yards and one touchdown with two interceptions.<\/p>\n

Cal Poly opened the scoring early in the second quarter when senior wide receiver Fidel Pitts scored on a 2-yard run. Kicker Josue Lopez missed the extra point.<\/p>\n

San Jose State answered on its next possession. With 11:43 remaining in the second quarter, Weaver connected with Clark for a 5-yard touchdown, the first touchdown of Clark\u2019s college career, to put the Spartans ahead 7-6.<\/p>\n

Sinatra added two field goals before halftime to give San Jose State a 13-6 lead at the break.<\/p>\n

Cal Poly responded quickly to open the second half. Grigsby connected with running back Jaden Green for a 2-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 13.<\/p>\n

The Mustangs regained the lead to open the fourth quarter when running back Misa Paiau scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.<\/p>\n

San Jose State then answered with a key defensive stop before taking control of the game, setting up the late touchdown that helped seal the victory.<\/p>\n

The Spartans will remain home next week for the Battle of the Valley against Fresno State at 8 p.m. Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"SanSan Jose State Spartans\u2019 Carson Clark (1) scores a touchdown against Cal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Brayden Breedlove (28) and Cal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Demetrius Simon (27) during the fourth quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)
\n\"CalCal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Jadon Anderson (83) jumps for the ball against San Jose State Spartans\u2019 Jayden Robertson (14) during the third quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)
\n\"CalCal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Anthony Grigsby Jr. (7) celebrates a touchdown by Cal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Fidel Tau Pitts (4) against the San Jose State Spartans during the second quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)
\n\"SanSan Jose State Spartans\u2019 Caleb Womack (32) intercepts a pass intended for Cal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Tayvion McCoy (2) during the fourth quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)
\n\"CalCal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Anthony Grigsby Jr. (7) attempts to score a touchdown against San Jose State Spartans\u2019 Dylan Lee (4) during the fourth quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)
\n\"SanSan Jose State Spartans\u2019 Naseri Danielson (3), San Jose State Spartans\u2019 Dylan Lee (4), San Jose State Spartans\u2019 Malakai Hoeft (24), San Jose State Spartans\u2019 Dejon Roney (48) and San Jose State Spartans\u2019 Nate Lewis (99) tackle Cal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Misa Paiau (0) during the first quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)
\n\"SanSan Jose State Spartans\u2019 Cooper Hoch (13) scores a touchdown against Cal Poly Mustangs\u2019 Paul Holland IV (10) during the third quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)
\n\"TheThe San Jose State Spartans huddle before a game against the Cal Poly Mustangs at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)
\n\"SanSan Jose State Spartans cheerleaders flip before a game against the Cal Poly Mustangs at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)
\n\"SanSan Jose State Spartans\u2019 head coach Ken Niumatalolo, right, shakes hands with the Cal Poly Mustangs\u2019 head coach Tim Skipper, left, after the San Jose State Spartans win at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Shae Hammond\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

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