Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — There’s no doubt that the 2018 Homecoming Game inside CEFCU Stadium was a blast between the San Jose State Spartans (0-4, 0-1 MW) and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (5-1, 2-0 MW) on Saturday night. But for the Spartans, it was sort of the same old rubbish, as they dropped a heartbreaker 44-41 in a whopping five overtimes.

Let’s get straight to my three takeaways from SJSU vs. Hawaii. As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading.

3. Not only one, but two Josh’s
Never underestimate the power of a young man named Josh. In this case, there were two young men named Josh who made Saturday’s game a breakout type of game.

Spartans quarterback Josh Love finished with 3 touchdowns and 451 yards and completed 28 of 49 attempts. Spartans tight end Josh Oliver finished with 1 touchdown, 8 grabs, 158 yards and 70 long gains and posted a 19.8 average.

2. Why didn’t the Spartans go for the 2-point conversions?
The Spartans should’ve gone for the 2-point conversation when Roberson scored his first touchdown of the game, a 4-yard passing touchdown from quarterback Josh Love, and Crawford kicked in the extra point for a 31-24 lead over the Rainbow Warriors midway through the fourth quarter. If that successfully happened, then SJSU could’ve snatched a 32-24 lead and perhaps would’ve put the game out of reach for Hawaii.

That way, SJSU likely wouldn’t have had to play through five overtimes, only to absorb the heartbreaking loss. But, we can’t change the regulation events, so the Spartans should’ve gone for the 2-point conversion when Roberson scored a 13-yard rushing touchdown, his second touchdown of the game, and kicker Bryce Crawford kicked in the extra point to tie the game 38-38 in the second overtime.

1. What happened to the kickers?
The Spartans had to answer with a touchdown in order to beat the Rainbow Warriors. If you watched the game, you’ll know that never happened, as both Crawford and the Rainbow Warriors’ kicker Ryan Meskell pretty much struggled in the 5 overtimes.

No one really knows what happened to Crawford and Meskell except for themselves, which may actually be a good thing because they got every right to feel ashamed of themselves (if they do feel that way).

In the end, it was a hard-fought game between the Spartans and Rainbow Warriors. All we can say is that the Spartans have to prepare for next week’s matchup vs. Colorado State and the Spartans’ coaching staff has to do whatever it takes to turn things around or else.  Spartan fans, don’t forget to check out Brennan’s press conference at Simpkins Stadium Center on Monday afternoon at 1:00 pm PDT on KLIV 1590 AM.