Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose State Spartans left for sunny San Diego on Friday. Of course, the main reason behind their most recent business trip was to take on the San Diego State Aztecs at SDCCU Stadium in a lopsided Mountain West matchup on CBS Sports Network on Saturday night.

San Jose State, however, has to win the turnover battle. Last week, San Jose State fumbled the ball over four times and each one of those fumbles gave Army great field position and one fumble resulted in a scoop and score. San Jose State also had to improve their running game by bolstering their blocks and pass protection.

Enough about the San Jose State’s needs (and wants). Let’s get to the game recap, which has been written below.

San Jose State had one thing on their mind tonight and that was to beat San Diego State. That, of course, caused most, if not all, Aztec fans to openly laugh. Anyways, San Jose State’s locker room was decked with the players’ signature blue and gold helmets, which has always made a fashion statement. However, San Jose State was there to play San Diego State, not strut their stuff for a fashion show.

Spartans head coach Brent Brennan decided to make Josh Love the starting quarterback. The Aztecs won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

The Spartans wasted no time as Bryce Crawford opened the scoring with a 42-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 8:56 left in the first quarter. Just 2:31 later, Crawford made it a 6-0 game with a 24-yard field goal. Somewhere between those field goals, Jesse Osuna notched a fumble recovery, sparking San Jose State’s offensive prowess.

The Spartans led the Aztecs 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. But San Jose State had to be wary as they held a 3-0 lead over Army at the end of the first quarter last Saturday and then gave up 52 unanswered points.

Things escalated quickly as the Aztecs took advantage of the Spartans early in the second quarter. Chase Jasmin jumped into the end zone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown and John Baron kicked in the extra point to get ahead 7-6 at the 13:11 mark. After that, red fireworks lit up the clear, dark San Diego sky.

Baron kicked in the 36-yard field goal to put the Aztecs up 10-6 with 16 seconds left in the second quarter. The Spartans had a 1st and 10, but they took a knee to conclude the first half. San Diego State took a 10-6 lead to the locker room.

Baron kicked in the 22-yard field goal to expand the Aztecs’ lead 13-6 with 7:09 left in the third quarter. There were a lot of critics who were surprised the game was this close, but the Spartans’ offense and defense was able to tread water this time around.

Before everyone knew it, San Jose State evened the score 13-13 with 50 seconds left in the third quarter. Malike Roberson ran for a 1-yard rushing touchdown and Crawford kicked in the extra point to tie the game.

The Aztecs, however, went ahead 16-13 with 4:36 left in the fourth quarter. Baron kicked in the 51-yard field goal that sealed the deal.

San Jose State hasn’t won a road game since November 26, 2016 at Fresno State. The Spartans fought in a game that was supposed to be a blowout for the Aztecs, but their efforts simply weren’t enough as the Aztecs won a tight game, 16-13. With the loss, San Jose State falls to 0-7 (0-3 MW), while San Diego State improves to 6-1 (3-0 MW).

Notes
Spartans’ tight end Josh Oliver continues to be the national leader among tight ends. Oliver is #1 in the nation among tight ends with 5.5 receptions per game, #2 in the nation among tight ends with 66.8 yards per game and in the top 10 in the Mountain West Conference among all receivers in receptions as well as yards per game.

Spartans’ defensive end Boogie Roberts isn’t just a talented defensive end. Roberts is also a naturally born leader who is very well-spoken and that’s why he has been able to elevate his team’s performances on and off the field.

Up Next
The Spartans return home to host the UNLV Rebels next Saturday, October 27 at 3:30 pm PT on ATSN and KLIV 1590 AM.