A happy group of San Jose State Spartans leave the field after playing against the UNLV Running Rebels at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sat Nov 25, 2023 (San Jose State University image)

Saturday, November 25th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

The San Jose State Spartans won its fifth straight game and earned a shot at the Mountain West Conference title by beating the UNLV Rebels 37-31 in this final week of the season. Thanks to Chevan Cordeiro’s two touchdown passes and Kairee Robinson’s two touchdown rushes the Spartans made a big statement headed into the championship week. 

This loss for UNLV leaves a three-way tie for first place in the Mountain West between them SJSU and Boise State and computer rankings will determine which two teams will play in the conference championship game. Updates coming soon. 

SJSU took control early in this game and didn’t let up. Cordeiro’s 56 yard passing TD to Sam Olson was the fourth play from scrimmage and grabbed the lead. A UNLV fumble on the following kickoff that Jay’Vion Cole recovered at the 23 yard line set up a Spartans field goal. 10-0 SJSU.

Robinson scored a 25 yard touchdown making it 17-0 Spartans, but UNLV responded with a rushing TD of their own thanks to Jai’Den Thomas that put them within ten points at the end of the first quarter. 

Each team hit a field goal in the second quarter making it 20-10 Spartans at halftime. In the third quarter UNLV was able to cut the deficit with another Thomas rushing TD early in the third quarter, but Cordeiro came right back with a toss to Isaac Jernigin, and then another field goal by SJSU made it 30-17 by the end of the third quarter. 

The final quarter started with Robinson scoring on a 40 yard touchdown giving the Spartans a three score lead. UNLV in back to back drives was able to score and cut the lead to 37-31 with 1:27 left in the game. Spartans ran the clock down and ended the game with 37-31 and now the rankings have to decide which one the three teams in this tie will play in the conference championship game next week.