Photo credit: @SanJoseStateFB

By Ana Kieu

The #22 San Jose State Spartans battled it out with the Ball State Cardinals in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium on New Year’s Eve. The Arizona Bowl was a battle between two conference champions who wanted to make program history, but it wasn’t in favor of the Spartans.

The short-handed Spartans fell behind early. The Cardinals started fast and handed the Spartans their first loss of the season, 34-13.

Derrick Deese took a nasty hit and landed on his head on the first play of the game. Deese went to the injury tent and later headed into the locker room.

BSU wasted no time getting going, scoring the game’s first 27 points.

SJSU quarterback Nick Starkel’s pass was intercepted and Antonio Phillips returned it for 53 yards for a touchdown. Jacob Lewis missed the extra point. The Cardinals took a 6-0 lead at 12:47 of the first quarter.

Will Jones ran for 3 yards for a touchdown. Jacob Lewis kicked an extra point. The Cardinals took a 13-0 lead at the 10-minute mark of the first.

Ty Evans ran for 3 yards for a touchdown. Jacob Lewis kicked an extra point. The Cardinals made it 20-0 with 5:15 left in the first.

Drew Plitt ran for 1 yard for a touchdown. Jacob Lewis kicked an extra point. BSU led 27-0 at the end of the first.

SJSU couldn’t catch a break in the second quarter.

Although Jacob Lewis missed a short-range field goal early in the second quarter, SJSU backup quarterback Nick Nash threw an interception into the end zone. SJSU quarterback Nick Starkel walked off the field holding the back of his knee after completing a 38-yard pass to Dominic Mazotti. Mazotti held his wrist, too.

SJSU kicker Matt Mercurio missed a 49-yard field goal attempt to close out the first half. The Spartans trailed 27-0 heading into the locker room for halftime.

BSU opened the scoring in the second half. Drew Plitt threw a pass to Yo’Heinz Tyler, who ran 48 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals extended their lead to 34-0 with 9:42 left in the third quarter.

SJSU showed signs of life on offense, but their offensive efforts weren’t enough. Charlie Bostic III returned Jacob Lewis’ punt 99 yards for a touchdown. The Spartans’ 2-point conversion was ruled as no good. The Spartans trailed 34-6 with 9:28 left in the third.

Nick Starkel returned to the field. Starkel threw a pass to Jermaine Braddock, who ran for 8 yards for a touchdown. Matt Mercurio kicked in an extra point. The Spartans trailed 34-13 with 1 second left in the third, and were down 34-13 after three quarters.

BSU maintained their 34-13 lead in the fourth quarter. Despite their efforts, the Spartans lost to the Cardinals 34-13. Both teams finished their respective seasons with respectable 7-1 records.

SJSU quarterback Nick Starkel announced that he’ll return for a final college football season. SJSU will look to replace some offensive seniors in the offseason.