Junior linebacker Naseri Danielson and the SJSU defense stuffs Nevada’s offense at the line of scrimmage on Oct. 24 (Photo by Alex Stoev)
By Lucas Quick
RENO, NV. – It was a chilly day in Reno, and the San Jose State football team (4-4, 2-2 MW) felt it, going cold offensively in a 28-13 loss to the University of Nevada, Reno (3-4, 2-2 MW).
Looking to continue the success the offense had following last week’s win, it fell back to square one, having its worst game of the season. They punted 11 times, went 1-of-14 on third downs and had only 70 total yards through the first three quarters.
After two consecutive three-and-outs, the Spartans didn’t waste any time making a change at quarterback again, as freshman Robert McDaniel took the field late in the first quarter.
According to SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo, freshman quarterback Daniel Rolovich was dealing with an injury, forcing him to make the early change.
“He couldn’t move. That first scramble we saw, we kind of knew that he couldn’t move,” Niumatalolo said. “That’s his power… you put the kid in harm’s way back there if he can’t move because he can’t protect himself.”
The Spartans’ defense held the fort down after allowing an early touchdown. An interception by junior cornerback Jayden Robertson and a fourth-down stop gave the offense two good opportunities to capitalize with good field position during the first half.
They weren’t able to capitalize, with the lone points coming from a 38-yard field goal by junior kicker Trajan Sinatra.
The defense couldn’t contain the Nevada offense any longer, as the Wolf Pack were able to control an efficient drive in the third quarter. The nine-play drive was capped off with a 25-yard touchdown catch by junior tight end Trace Estes to extend Nevada’s lead to 14-3.
Sophomore quarterback Carter Jones and fifth-year quarterback A.J. Bianco were sidelined due to injury, putting senior quarterback Luke Duncan as the starter. Duncan finished the game going 18-of-29 for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns, converting numerous third downs to keep Nevada alive on its scoring drives.
Nevada got off to a hot start, churning a 16-play drive, including going 5-for-5 on third down, that resulted in a six-yard touchdown catch by senior wide receiver Marshaun Brown to jump to an early 7-0 advantage.
Brown emerged as a key part of the Wolf Pack offense, leading all receivers with 5 catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. He had just eight catches all season prior to this game.
He also included a 35-yard passing touchdown in the fourth quarter to junior running back Herchel Turner Jr. to seal the game and give Nevada a 21-3 lead.
Time of possession was heavily in favor of the Wolf Pack, which had the ball for 16 minutes longer than the Spartans.
McDaniel was the quarterback for the majority of the game, but the Spartans made a second change at the position, as senior quarterback Luke Weaver made his return to the field in the fourth quarter after being benched last week. He was the most efficient quarterback on the day, going 6-of-10 for 91 yards.
With three quarterbacks in the mix, it leaves the starting role a carousel, with no answer currently.
“We’ve definitely got to look at that,” Niumatalolo said. “We moved the ball better when Luke [Weaver] was in there, so that’s probably where you’d lean to, but we’ll watch the film and assess it as a staff.”
Adjustments will need to be made quickly, as the conference road gets significantly harder next week for the Spartans, facing the first-place New Mexico Lobos.
“We’re just going to look at the mirror, get better and go back to work on Monday,” junior linebacker Naseri Danielson said.
SJSU falls to .500 and will have to bounce back, taking on New Mexico at 1 p.m. on Halloween at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
