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Who's Next: A look at the San Jose State Spartans

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook09/01/25josephcook89
Ken Niumatalolo
Ken Niumatalol (Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)

The Texas Longhorns have to turn the page and prepare for a home matchup with the San Jose Spartans. What will the Mountain West squad bring to Austin? Here’s a quick look at the next opponent for the Longhorns.

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Upcoming opponent: San Jose State

Head coach: Ken Niumatalolo (2nd season at SJSU), 116-90 overall, 7-7 at SJSU

Niumatalolo took the time to speak with Inside Texas back in April about his Spartans team. You can find that video here.

2025 record: 0-1

Last game: 16-14 loss to Central Michigan

Star offensive performer last time out: WR Danny Scudero – 9 catches, 189 yards, 1 TD

Star defensive performer last time out: LB Jordan Pollard – 15 tackles, 1 PBU

Quarterback: Walker Eget – 24-for-43, 308 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Offense: Niumatalolo is well-known for his tenure at Navy, where he had to run a service academy style option offense. He’s run a different scheme at San Jose State, deploying a spread offense that features a star wide receiver. Last year, it was Nick Nash who led the Spartans in an All-American campaign. This year, Scudero is the one who seems to have taken over the WR1 mantle.

Defense: Niumatalolo kept Derek Odum when he took over the role ahead of the 2024 season. Odum is now entering his ninth season, making him the fourth-longest-tenured defensive coordinator in the FBS. Odum was the secondary coach at Houston from 2003 to 2004 and the secondary coach at SMU from 2008 to 2014. Based on highlights, Odum runs a standard base nickel defense with a four-man front.

Quote to know from the head coach: “We have no choice but to bounce back. We’re playing the best team in the country when we come back. Obviously, Central Michigan is a good team, but we’re playing the No. 1 team in the country. We’ve got to play better at quarterback. We’ve got to make better decisions. We’ve got to take care of the ball.” – Ken Niumatalolo

Texans on the roster:

Former Longhorns on the roster:

This guy is on their team?

  • Maliki Crawford – A four-star cornerback in the 2023 class, Crawford spent two years at USC without seeing a snap before entering the portal.

All-time series: Texas leads 1-0

Last matchup: Texas defeated the Spartans 56-0 in 2017, netting Tom Herman his first win as head coach of the Longhorns. Texas rushed for 406 yards and six touchdowns and added a passing score in the shutout. Chris Warren rushed 16 times for 166 yards and two scores. Jerrod Heard also rushed for two touchdowns. Toneil Carter and Kyle Porter each found the end zone one time apiece.

Malik Jefferson led the team with seven tackles. Holton Hill logged a pick six. Jason Hall forced a fumble in the shutout.

Upcoming matchup

  • Teams: Texas vs. San Jose State
  • Date: September 6
  • Time: 11 a.m.
  • Location: Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium
  • TV: ABC

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