Eastern Michigan shrinks in crunch time, fall 27-21 to San Jose State

The San Jose State Spartans (1-1) might not have had their best performance on Friday night, but it was performance enough, as the Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-1, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) couldn't find the necessary plays late to bridge the gap in a 27-21 loss.

The game was a stalemate deep into the first half, with neither team getting further than the opposing 38-yard line until midway through the second quarter, when Caleb Dobbs picked off a pass from Luke Weaver to gift the ball back to the EMU offense at their own 42-yard line. Noah Kim would eventually find Harold Mack for a five-yard touchdown strike to put the score at 7-0 with 9:19 remaining in the first half.

San Jose State responded two drives later, with Weaver connecting with Cooper Hock on a 51-yard pass on second-and-eight before tossing a dot to Jase Nix in the corner of the endzone to tie the game up with 1:19 remaining in the second quarter.

The Spartans defense forced a three-and-out on the next EMU possession, giving their offense one more chance to score before the break. SJSU marched steadily on a drive starting from their own 23-yard line, getting to the EMU 44 on a Jerry McClure reception with one second remaining. After the play, EMU's Marvell Eggleston was flagged for unspotsmanlike conduct, putting SJSU in field goal range.

Trajan Sinatra would strike it through to put the visitors up 10-7 over the hosting Eagles at the break.

Looking for a spark, Chris Creighton opted to go for it on fourth-and-one from midfield on the first drive of the third quarter, and Amareon Blue delivered, bursting up the middle for a 50-yard rushing touchdown to take the lead back at 14-10 at the 11:52 mark of the third period.

SJSU answered back on a 10-yard toss from Weaver to Cooper Hoch for the latter's first-career touchdown to reclaim the lead.

Right before the end of the third quarter, EMU seemed to catch the break they'd been looking for, as Ronn Hardin strip sacked Weaver and safety Bryce Llewellyn covered up the ball in the endzone, putting the Eagles back on top.

The fourth quarter is where it would all fall apart for EMU; the offense would go three-and-out on their next three drives after the defensive touchdown, while the Spartans took the lead back on Hoch's second TD of the night– this time from 40 yards out.

When called upon for their fourth– and most important– possession of the period, Noah Kim tossed an inexplicable ball in the direction of SJSU linebacker Dylan Lee, who skied up for the interception with 1:55 remaining.

Another opportunity opened up when EMU used their last two timeouts to force SJSU into kicking a field goal after cutting only 18 seconds off the clock, but it wouldn't be enough.

EMU would move the chains on two short passes, then toss four-straight incompletions to end the contest.

The Spartans managed the victory despite losing two turnovers, committing 13 penalties for 100 yards and converting only 5-of-16 third downs on the night in part because they simply dominated EMU offensively.

Ken Niumatalolo's crew decimated the EMU defense to the tune of 453 total yards, including 316 through the air– averaging nearly six yards per play– while limiting the Eagles to just 281 total yards on the night.

Luke Weaver finished 23-of-38 for 316 yards, three TDs and an interception, while Cooper Hock (five receptions, 115 yards) and Jabari Bates (20 carries, 118 yards) starred offensively for SJSU.

The aformentioned Lee was SJSU's defensive leader, with nine tackles, a TFL, an interception and two pass break-ups.

For EMU, Noah Kim looked average, finishing 24-of-43 passes for 174 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Harold Mack (seven catches, 72 yards, TD) led the receiving effort and Amareon Blue's 50-yard TD carried the rushing attack, which had no other runner collect more than 20 yards.

Zach Mowchan delivered once again defensively, with 11 tackles and a PBU. Seven Eagle defenders had at least a half-TFL on the night, with Caleb Dobbs notching an interception and three PBUs to lead the defensive backfield.

The win was a streak-snapper for SJSU; the Spartans did not win a road contest in the 2025 campaign. Their last road win was against Oregon State on Nov. 9, 2024.

EMU now prepares for a short trek west to play the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday afernoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.

San Jose State hosts their first game of the year after two weeks on the road next weekend, playing Caly Poly on Saturday evening. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Eastern time.