San Jose State travels to El Paso this Saturday to face UTEP at the Sun Bowl. The Spartans are missing their top rusher and facing uncertainty regarding their starting quarterback following a narrow overtime defeat to Wyoming.
The loss of Jabari Bates and the uncertaity of Luke Weaver
San Jose State enters this weekend's matchup severely depleted at the most critical positions of the offense. According to the report, running back Jabari Bates, who currently leads the Mountain West with 556 rushing yards and a 4.6 yards-per-carry average, has been listed as out. The loss of Bates removes the primary engine of the Spartans' ground game just as the team struggles to find consistency.
Adding to the instability, head coach Ken Niumatalolo confirmed on KNBR that quarterback Luke Weaver is "banged up" and his status for Saturday remains uncertain. Weaver has struggled with turnovers recently, throwing five of his six season interceptions over the last three games. If Weaver cannot start, San Jose State may be forced to rely on redshirt freshman Robert McDaniel—who managed only 19 yards on 11 attempts last season—or true freshman Daniel Rolovich, who has never attempted a collegiate pass.
A 43-point drought over three games
The injury to Jabari Bates is particularly damaging because the San Jose State offense has already entered a significant slump. as reported, the Spartans have managed only 43 points across their last three contests, failing to break 13 points in two of those games. This is a stark contrast to the beginning of the season, where the team produced nearly 500 rushing yards in their first three outings; that number has plummeted to just 244 yards over the most recent three-game stretch.
Offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann has admitted that the unit has become too "cautious," urging his players to "shoot your shot and attack." This lack of aggression is evident in the statistics: San Jose State has yet to score a single touchdown in the first quarter this entire season. To break this trend, the Spartans will likely lean heavily on true freshman wide receiver Carson Clark, who remains their most productive weapon with 405 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
UTEP's 1-5 record and a brutal non-conference slate
While San Jose State is dealing with personnel losses, UTEP enters the game with a dismal 1-5 record. However, the Miners' record is skewed by one of the most difficult schedules in the country, including blowout losses to Oklahoma (51-0) and Michigan (52-17). The Miners have struggled at home as well, recently falling 30-13 to Nevada.
UTEP is facing its own quarterback dilemma, as EJ Colson Jr. is questionable due to a concussion suffered against New Mexico. If Colson Jr. is sidelined,sophomore Raymond Moore III is expected to start . Moore III provides a different challenge for the San Jose State defense; he is a mobile threat who recorded 65 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his recent appearance against Nevada.
Can the Spartans stop Raymond Moore III?
The primary question remaining for San Jose State is whether their defense can maintain its recent form while the offense struggles to keep pace. The Spartans' defense has been impressive, holding both Hawaii and Wyoming to 16 points each, with junior Dylan Lee recording a sack and an interception in the last game. However, the report notes that San Jose State has historically struggled against mobile quarterbacks, a vulnerability highlighted by Wyoming senior Tyler Hughes' 92 rushing yards last week.
If Raymond Moore III starts for UTEP, the Spartans will need to replicate the pressure they brought against Wyoming—which included 5.5 sacks—to prevent the Miners from extending the game with their legs. With the kicking game also under scrutiny after junior Trajan Sinatra missed a 44-yard attempt against Wyoming, the Spartans have very little margin for error in El Paso.
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