San Jose State Spartans cornerback Caleb Womack speaks to the media after their win against Northern Illinois University. Womack finished the game with ten tackles and a fumble recovery.
By Sean Mentzer
While a Mountain West conference championship is all but impossible for the Spartans at this point in the season, a bowl game is still very much in sight.
“We got our eyes on that goal,” San Jose State quarterback Daniel Rolovich said. “We’re just pushing one game at a time, and we’re just gonna take one step and get that win, and build, and build to the next one until we get it.”
The Spartans only need two wins to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2024. After their matchup against the winless Northern Illinois Huskies, they are one win closer to that goal.
The Huskies received the opening kickoff, but the Spartans’ defense set the tone, forcing a Huskies three-and-out.
True freshman Daniel Rolovich got the nod as the starter for Saturday’s game, making it his third start of the season. He suffered an injury against Nevada two weeks ago and couldn’t finish the game.
Despite his limited experience as a starter, Rolovich has leaned on fellow quarterback Luke Weaver to help him adjust to the starter’s role.
“Luke’s played a lot of college football, so he’s kind of been that mentor role for me,” Rolovich said. “So if I got questions or anything about anything that’s going on in the game, he’s usually right there; he’s super supportive. He’s always got my back, and I appreciate that a lot.”
Starting their first drive from their 44-yard line, the Spartans ran numerous play-action passes, and with the help of a pass interference call, drove down to the Huskies’ five-yard line. However, they faced a fourth-and-1, and with the end zone just yards away, the Spartans offense stayed on the field, handing the ball off to Viliami Teu, who converted the fourth down, found an extra gear, and plowed into the end zone to take the lead.
The Huskies’ second drive reached midfield, but a holding penalty stalled it, forcing a punt back to the Spartans. Starting at their own 19-yard line, the Spartans marched to midfield and executed a flea flicker; Anthony Ivey caught the 49-yard pass and was tackled at the Huskies’ six-yard line. However, just like their first drive, they were held to a fourth down, this time settling for a field goal by Trajan Sinatra to make it 10-0.
The second quarter began with the Spartans at midfield. Carson Clark drew another pass interference call, but a holding penalty on Tyler Chen brought the drive back to the Huskies 37-yard line. On third down, Rolovich fumbled, but the Spartans recovered. Kicking into the wind, Sinatra’s 46-yard field goal just cleared the crossbar to extend the lead.
The first drive of the second quarter for the Huskies began with an explosive run and catch by DeAree Rogers. His 40-yard reception put the Huskies in Spartan territory, where their run game gashed the Spartans’ defense down to the four-yard line. Telly Johnson Jr. capped off the seven-play drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown. However, Ryan Short missed the PAT, making it 13-6.
After punting on their first three possessions, the Huskies’ offense came to life. Forcing the Spartans to punt, the Huskies regained possession at their own 19-yard line. Taron Dickens found Rogers for a 23-yard reception, bringing the offense into the red zone. At the Spartans’ 19-yard line, Dickens threw a 50/50 ball to Zaire McKinney in the end zone, and McKinney came down with it. This time Short’s extra point was good, and the Huskies tied the game.
Rolovich’s deep ball connected with Dominique McKenzie, putting the Spartans at the Huskies’ 29-yard line right before the two-minute warning. A personal foul penalty on Jack Murray for hitting Rolovich out of bounds put the Spartans on the ten-yard line. But once again, the Spartans couldn’t find the end zone, and another Sinatra field goal gave the Spartans a three-point lead.
The Huskies got the ball back with 1:33 remaining in the half. On a third-and-long, still in their own territory, Dickens forced a cross-body throw that linebacker Dylan Lee intercepted, giving the Spartans offense the ball at the 35-yard line.
Under head coach Ken Niumatalolo, the Spartans are now 10-6 when they have more takeaways than the opponent.
Despite having strong starting field position, the Huskies’ defense held firm, allowing only six yards on the drive. Sinatra then attempted a 46-yard field goal. However, the Huskies called a timeout to ice him, and combined with kicking into the wind, he missed the 46-yard attempt. As a result, the Spartans held onto a 16-13 lead heading into halftime.
The Spartans received the kickoff to start the second half, but had to punt the ball away. However, Rogers muffed the punt and Caleb Womack recovered it, giving the Spartans the ball back in the red zone.
“Just coming down, Trent [Carrizosa] had kicked a great ball,” San Jose State cornerback Caleb Womack said. “The returner, he had scooted up a little too far, misjudged the ball a little bit, he caught it over the shoulder and dropped it. I have to give props to Cody [Hall]; he gives his full effort every play. So he came down and finished him through, and then all I had to do was jump on the ball; I had the easy job.”
After two catches by Clark, the offense got to the four-yard line, but the Huskies defense held strong, setting up another fourth-and-goal. The Spartans kept their offense on the field, and Teu pushed into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game, giving the Spartans a 23-13 lead.
The Huskies’ first drive of the half didn’t go as planned. Dickens fumbled the ball, but the Huskies recovered it, although they put themselves deep in their own territory with a second-and-23 and third-and-21. After scrambling back to the original line of scrimmage, the Huskies made the questionable decision to attempt a fake punt at their own 37-yard line, but it failed, resulting in a turnover on downs. This gave the Spartans the ball at their own 29-yard line.
This time, the Spartans capitalized on the prime starting field position. Teu threw a pass to McKenzie in the middle of the field, who then turned upfield near the sideline and snuck in for the touchdown, extending the Spartans’ lead to 17.
The Huskies responded on the following drive, marching down to the Spartans’ 7-yard line on a fourth-and-inches. Down 17, the Huskies chose to go for it, but as they have all season, the Spartans’ defense stopped them, forcing a turnover on downs.
With seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Huskies’ offense advanced downfield, and Dickens rushed into the end zone to score, making it 30-19. The Huskies then attempted a two-point conversion, but it was unsuccessful.
This is the first game the San Jose State offense has scored at least 30 points since week two against Cal Poly. The Spartans will have their work cut out for them next week, though, going on the road against an Air Force team that leads the Mountain West in rushing yards, averaging 341 yards per game.
Rolovich will also remain the starting quarterback for the near future.
