Know Wyoming’s Foe: SJSU Spartans

LARAMIE -- San Jose State features five outside threats that already have more than 100 yards receiving under their belt. Carson Clark leads the way with 314 on just 29 grabs. The 5-foot-9 freshman has also found the end zone four times.

Surprise, surprise.

This is a program that, as of late, has produced some of the best wide receivers in the business.

Remember Nick Nash?

In 2021, lining up at the time under center, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback gashed Wyoming on the ground to the tune of 111 yards on only 11 carries in a 27-21 victory inside CEFCU Stadium. Nash eventually moved to the outside and immediately became one of the top wideouts in college football, snagging 158 passes for 2,172 yards and 25 touchdowns.

All-American status was reached during his senior season, one in which has caught 104 balls and crossed the goal line 16 times. The eventual Biletnikoff Trophy finalists -- and triple-crown winner (catches, yards, touchdowns) -- finished with 1,382 yards.

Ten of those catches, 98 of those yards and one of those scores came inside War Memorial Stadium.

Surely you didn't forget Danny Scudero? Desman Hearns and the rest of the returning Cowboys' secondary definitely hasn't.

Last October in Laramie, the speedster dusted Wyoming for four first-half touchdowns, including a 72-yard strike on the Spartan's third possession of the night. Scudero, who transferred to Colorado in the offseason, capped his day on the high plains with 180 yards on 10 receptions.

Chandler Jones was statistically the top receiver in school history. Noel Grigsby, his teammate, was a close second. There have been other names, too, like Tre Walker, Bailey Gaither, Kevin Jurovich and others.

While the Cowboy defense will certainly have to focus on the latest crop of playmakers, it better collectively keep an eye on No. 6 in the backfield.

Jabari Bates is currently the top running back in the Mountain West Conference, averaging more than 97 yards per game. The 5-foot-7, 180-pound senior has eclipsed the century mark twice this year, including a 163-yard outing against Cal Poly. He also went for 119 in a road win at Eastern Michigan. It would have been three times if a 66-yard touchdown run against Fresno State wasn't negated by an illegal formation. Still, he finished with 94 versus the Bulldogs.

The Compton, Calif., native is finally getting his opportunity as a feature back after spending all four seasons at SJSU.

That patience is paying off.

"They're also leaning on the run game with Jabari Bates a whole lot more than what they've ever done before," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said during his weekly press conference. "So, it creates a little different element."

Head coach Ken Niumatalolo appears to be getting back to his Navy roots a tad, putting an emphasis on the ground game. The Spartans have run the ball 170 times through five games. Luke Weaver, despite completing 62% of his passes for 1,278 yards and 11 touchdowns, has attempted 171 passes.

How's that for balance?

Bates, who currently ranks No. 18 in the FBS, has already amassed 487 yards on the ground. He's averaging nearly five yards per carry. He's also hauled in seven passes for 83 yards. Oddly enough, though, he has yet to reach the end zone.

Dante Drake and the Cowboys don't want to see that happen Friday night in the Bay Area, either.

"He's a versatile runner," the 300-pound defensive tackle said. "I feel like he's one of their best offensive players. So, we just got to keep an eye on him and keep him locked down."

Easier said than done.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Mountain Time and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

"The wrinkle they've thrown in this year is that they've got a big willingness to run the football, and a big lifespan to where they're going to try to run the football," Sawvel added. "With that, there's running the ball and throwing RPOs and some things of that nature."

Meet the Spartans:

* Head coach: Ken Niumatalolo (3rd year) 13-17 overall, 6-11 in MW play

* Offensive coordinator: Craig Stutzmann (3rd year); Defensive coordinator: Bojay Filimoeatu (1st year)

* Record in 2026: 3-2 overall, 1-0 in Mountain West

* Offense in 2026: Average 22.6 ppg, 388.2 ypg (132.6 rush, 255.6 pass)

* Defense in 2026: Allow 25 ppg, 381.6 ypg (123.4 rush, 258.2 pass)

* Key Returners/ Newcomers - Offense: Luke Weaver (QB - 106-171, 1,278 yds, 11 TD, 5 INT; 43 rush, 77 yds, TD), Jabari Bates (RB - 104 rush, 487 yds; 7 catch, 83 yds), Viliami Teu (RB - 12 rush, 77 yds), Carson Clark (WR - 29 catch, 314 yds, 4 TD), Cooper Hoch (WR - 19 catch, 285 yds, 3 TD), Anthony Ivey (WR - 9 catch, 184 yds), Jerry McClure (WR - 19 catch, 172 yds, TD) Jordan Anderson (WR - 10 catch, 107 yds, TD)

* Key Returners - Defense: Dylan Lee (LB - 45 tackles, sack, 3 PBU, INT), Caleb Womack (CB - 38 tackles, 2 INT), Naseri Danielson (LB - 35 tackles, PBU, INT), Ethan Powell (LB - 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks), Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa (S - 23 tackles, PBU), Brian Dukes Jr. (S - 15 tackles), Jayland McGlothen (DL - 14 tackles, sack, PBU), Jeremiah Tuiileia (DL - 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks, FF), Justin Stearns (DL - 14 tackles, 2 sacks)

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Anatomy of an 8-Game Road Losing Streak

* Q&A With Frustrated Wyoming Offensive Coordinator Christian Taylor

* Behind the Numbers: Polasek Provides Pure Emotion in Shutout

* Making the Grade: Yes, It Was Really That Bad

* Cowboys Drop Initial Battle of the Basins, 28-0

* Rants and Raves: NDSU Bison Edition

* Turning Point, Unsung Hero and What's Next For UW Football?

* FINAL LIVE FILE: NDSU 28, Wyoming 0

* Miller Brings Energy, Passion to Pokes' Secondary

* Timeline: Polasek to Remain Wyoming OC Until NDSU Called

* Pokes, Bison Meet Saturday in First-Ever Battle of the Basins