What to know before San Jose State kicks off against No. 23 UNLV

What to know before San Jose State kicks off against No. 23 UNLV

SAN JOSE STATE VS. No. 23 UNLV

Records: San Jose State (6-4, 3-3 Mountain West); UNLV (8-2, 4-1 MW)

Friday kickoff: 7 p.m., CEFCU Stadium, San Jose

TV: FS1

Radio:  KTRB (860 AM)

Series history: San Jose State leads the series 20-7-1 and has one the last four out of five meetings.

Storylines: This is the first time SJSU has ever hosted ranked teams on back-to-back weeks. … UNLV is ranked No. 23 in the AP Top 25 poll, its highest ranking ever in that poll. … SJSU wide receiver Nick Nash was added to the 2024 Fred Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist list that includes 11 players total. … Three finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 26. … The Spartans drew 20,517 fans at CEFCU Stadium against No. 13 Boise State, the most since Nov. 29, 2013.

San Jose State wide receiver Justin Lockhart (11) catches the ball against Boise State cornerback Jeremiah Earby (6) in the first quarter at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 

Matchup to watch: UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III vs. SJSU defensive back D.J. Harvey. Harvey is the No. 24 cornerback in the country, according to PFF, with an 83.5 grade. White is third in the country in receiving touchdowns with 10.

Stats that matter: SJSU ranks first in the Mountain West and fourth in the nation in passing yards per game (343.7). … UNLV ranks 119th in the nation in pass defense with 260.5 yards allowed per game. … The Spartans’ 16 interceptions are good for second in the country and first in the Mountain West. … Nash leads the nation in receptions (95), receptions per game (9.5), receiving touchdowns (14), receiving yards (1,282) and receiving yards per game (128.2). . … Nash’s 14 touchdown receptions are more than 47 FBS schools have thrown this season. … Nash is the new SJSU single-season record holder with 95 receptions, passing Noel Grigsby who had 89 in 2011. … Nash and wide receiver Justin Lockhart have combined for 2,207 yards this season. … Lockhart is 13th in receiving yards (925) in the FBS.

— Christian Vierya

Related Articles

College Sports |


San Jose State looks to play Mountain West Conference race spoiler against No. 23 UNLV

College Sports |


San Jose State volleyball faces Mountain West tourney uncertainty after loss to Fresno State

College Sports |


How California keeps transgender student athletes on the court as bans unfold across the country

College Sports |


San Jose State takeaways: Spartans’ missed chances doom upset bid vs. No. 13 Boise State

College Sports |


Hot-starting San Jose State falls short of an upset in 42-21 to No. 13 Boise State