SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 24: The San Jose State defense holds on a goal line stand late in a scoreless first half against Air Force and quarterback Haaziq Daniels (4) at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE STATE AT AIR FORCE
Records: San Jose State (1-0, 0-0 Mountain West); Air Force (1-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
Kickoff: 4 p.m., Falcon Stadium, USAFA, Colorado
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: KDOW (1220 AM)
Series history: Air Force leads the series 5-2. San Jose State is winless when traveling to Colorado.
Storylines: San Jose State’s Ken Niumatalolo has a record of 7-8 as a head coach against Air Force. … Niumatalolo faced Air Force as Navy’s head coach more than twice as many times SJSU has played the Falcons. … The Spartans look for their second win of the season and their first Mountain West Conference win. … San Jose State’s last victory against Air Force was on Oct. 24, 2020, winning 17-6. … Niumatalolo won his first game at SJSU, 42-24, last week over Sacramento State. … Quarterback Emmett Brown will make his second career start.
Matchup to watch: Air Force nose guard Payton Zdroik vs. San Jose State offensive guard Marist Talavou. Zdroik recorded four tackles, including a sack and 2.5 tackles-for-loss as well as a forced fumble in his first game against Merrimack. Talavou is expected to make his season debut for the Spartans after missing the first game due to an injury.
Injuries: Wide receiver Malikhi Miller is expected to be out for a while with an undisclosed injury and has been seen using crutches at the Spartans’ facility. Miller recently had surgery, Niumatalolo said.
Stats that matter: Air Force has averaged 374.8 rushing yards against San Jose State in its last five matchups. … SJSU has nine tackles for loss which ranks second in the Mountain West and 22nd in the nation. … Emmet Brown leads the Mountain West in passing efficiency at 155.68. … Linebacker Jordan Cobbs leads the Spartans with 11 tackles, which leads the Mountain West and is 15th in the country for tackles per game.
Originally published at Christian Vieyra