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.
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: 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
- Location: Merlin Olsen Field (Logan, UT)
- TV Broadcast/Stream: CBS Sports Network
- Radio: 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: 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: 66th
- San Jose State: 94th
FEI Adjusted Defensive Efficiency
- Utah State: 118th
- San Jose State: 89th
Stat Leaders
Passing Leaders
- Utah State: Bryson Barnes — 99/155 (63.9%), 1,318 yards, 12 TD, 2 INT
- San 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 TD
- San 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 TD
- San 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 sacks
- San Jose State: Jordan Pollard — 49 tackles (22 solo), 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
History of Utah State vs San Jose State
- All-Time Series: San Jose State leads 21-20-1
- Series During MW era: Utah State leads 6-1
- Most 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 Know
- San Jose State has not won a game in Logan since 2007
- Utah State has won five consecutive games at home, including a 3-0 mark this season
- USU 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 game
Game 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
