San Jose State @ Washington State preview
Gesa Field at Martin Stadium
Last week’s season opener got off to a sluggish start for Washington State, but the Cougars and new starting quarterback Gardner Minshew found their rhythm in the second half, outscoring host Wyoming 28-3 over the final 30 minutes en route to a 41-19 win. Washington State will be trying to maintain that momentum Saturday night in its home opener against San Jose State.
Minshew, a graduate transfer from East Carolina, finished 38-of-57 for 319 yards and three touchdowns Saturday and directed TD drives on four of the Cougars’ five second-half possessions. Washington State only converted 3-of-14 third-down attempts in the contest, but was 3-of-4 on fourth down and overcame a pair of turnovers. “The receivers caught the ball really well in the second half, and I just started throwing the ball better,” Minshew said afterward. “I was making better decisions.” San Jose State, meanwhile, is looking to rebound from last season’s 2-11 finish – the program’s low point in the last seven seasons – but 2018 is off to a rough start with a 44-38 home loss to FCS foe UC Davis on Aug. 30.
TV: 11 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Washington State -34.5
ABOUT SAN JOSE STATE (0-1): Three quarterbacks played for the Spartans in the opener, and it was the third QB to enter the game, sophomore Montel Aaron, who was by far the most effective, completing 13-of-19 attempts for 254 yards and two TDs in relief of starter Josh Love (14-of-29, 109 yards, one TD, one interception) and Michael Carrillo (1-of-4, 2 yards, one pick). Second-year coach Brent Brennan hasn’t announced who will start Saturday, but Aaron is the obvious odds-on favorite. Defensively, San Jose State surrendered 589 yards to UC Davis, including 446 through the air, and was hurt by three turnovers and 12 penalties for 125 yards.
ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (1-0): The Cougars cleared a hurdle Saturday as they notched their first season-opening road win since 2004, ending a streak of seven straight losses, and now are back home where they went 7-0 last season, including wins over nationally-ranked USC and Stanford. Nine players caught passes against Wyoming, led by running back James Williams who had a game-high 10 receptions for 53 yards and a TD while pacing the team with 82 rushing yards and a TD on 16 carries. Defensively, the Cougars allowed only 206 total yards, including 67 through the air, and were led by linebacker Dominick Silvels, who recorded six total tackles, including two for losses.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Washington State leads the series 7-4-1, but the two teams have not met since a Ryan Leaf-led 52-16 home win for the Cougars in 1996.
2. San Jose State was 0-7 on the road last season, losing by an average score of 47-15.
3. San Jose State starting RB Tyler Nevens finished with 82 yards and pair of TDs on 18 carries in the opener but was carried off the field after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit late in the game and is not listed on the depth chart in advance of Saturday’s matchup.
PREDICTION: Washington State 51, San Jose State 13