By Sean Mentzer
SAN JOSE– The San Jose State Spartans led most of the game, but a late, game-tying drive by the Wyoming Cowboys forced overtime, paving the way for a game-winning field goal that handed the Spartans their first conference loss.
The Spartans’ first drive ended in a quick three-and-out, and the Cowboys took an early lead. A jet pass to Samuel Harris put the Cowboys in the red zone, but a holding penalty forced them to settle for a field goal.
After Spartans kicker Trajan Sinatra missed a 44-yard field goal attempt, the Cowboys began the second quarter with a 4th-and-goal on the Spartans’ two-yard line. However, defensive leader Ethan Powell made a crucial wrap-up tackle on Cowboys quarterback Tyler Hughes, completing their goal-line stand.
The Spartans’ defense did its job, and the offense answered. A quick 8-play drive was capped off by Jabari Bates for an 18-yard rushing touchdown, finding the end zone for the first time this season.
Another Cowboys field goal made it 6-7. In the final three minutes of the half, Therman Williams intercepted Luke Weaver on the Spartans’ 36-yard line, giving the Cowboys another chance to take the lead. Coming into tonight’s match, the Cowboys’ Achilles’ heel was turnovers, with 12 total, including six interceptions by Hughes, and they paid the price with another late-half chance at points. Dylan Lee’s interception gave the Spartans the ball back with 1:54 left in the half.
The Spartans had one timeout remaining as they advanced the ball to the Cowboys’ 25-yard line. However, Weaver was sacked, and the Spartans had already used their final timeout earlier in the drive. The field goal unit rushed onto the field, but time expired before they could snap the ball. As a result, the Spartans went into halftime with a narrow 6-7 lead.
“That last drive in the first half, I’m gonna have nightmares about it the rest of my life,” Spartans Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “I know better how to manage that.”
The Cowboys started the second half with the ball, but the Spartans forced a fumble that defensive lineman Jeremiah Tuiileila recovered, giving the offense the ball at the Cowboys’ 41-yard line. The Spartans couldn’t find the end zone, however, settling for a field goal to extend the lead to 6-10.
After forcing the Cowboys into a three-and-out halfway through the third quarter, the Spartans offense got back to the red zone but could only muster another field goal to make it 13-6.
The Cowboys got the ball back in the final two minutes of the third quarter and went on another 16-play-or-more drive, eating up 10 minutes of clock, and finally scored a touchdown to tie the game. It was their third drive of the game that took 16 or more plays and lasted seven or more minutes.
The Spartans regained possession, but quickly went three-and-out again. The Spartans’ defense made a strong stop, forcing the Cowboys to punt with three minutes left in the fourth quarter. Neither team gained traction on their final drives, forcing overtime.
The Spartans started overtime with the ball and were held to a 4th-and-1. With Carson Clark in motion pre-snap, Weaver looked his way, but his throw fell short, turning the ball over.
Wyoming drove downfield and prepared for a field goal. Cowboys kicker Erik Sandvik nailed his third field goal of the night, winning on a walk-off field goal, stealing the game late from the Spartans.
The Cowboys executed a strong game plan: controlling time of possession to keep the Spartans’ offense off the field, tiring their defense, and slowly putting points on the board.
The Spartans’ strengths shine on offense, but their weaknesses show on defense, too. As expected, the high-tempo pace led by Weaver creates explosive plays and quick drives, but the run defense remains a glaring flaw. Halfway through the second quarter, the Cowboys had 110 yards on the ground, finishing with 231 rushing yards on the night. It’s the second time in the last four games the Spartans have allowed 100+ rushing yards.
“I think the thing you see in our offense right now is just inconsistency,” Weaver said. “And I think that comes from myself. You see times where we’re really rolling; you see times where we’re really struggling to get that first drive going, get that first first down. So really, focus on keep making good decisions and getting the ball to the playmakers.”
After a win over Hawaii to kick off conference play last week, the Spartans were close to another win but ultimately fell short. They will aim to bounce back next weekend against UTEP and return to winning in conference play.
