Spartans spoil Arroyo’s return

San Jose State takes early lead, fights off Rebels, who stay winless

Marcus Arroyo’s return to CEFCU Stadium did not go as he would have hoped Saturday night.

The first-year UNLV coach, who played quarterback at San Jose State from 1998 to 2002 and served as an assistant there from 2005-08, watched his team remain winless in a 34-17 loss to the Spartans in San Jose, California.

UNLV fell to 0-4 for the first time since 2004, while San Jose State is 4-0 for the first time since 1955. UNLV lost its sixth straight road game against San Jose State.

Nick Starkel was 17-for-28 passing for 274 yards and a pair of touchdowns for San Jose State. He shared the quarterback duties with Nick Nash, who ran eight times for 94 yards.

Justin Rogers was 12-for-18 passing for 162 yards and a TD for the Rebels. Charles Williams ran 19 times for 55 yards and a TD.

Spartans coach Brent Brennan and Arroyo were on the staff at San Jose State. Arroyo was the quarterbacks coach and Brennan coached wide receivers, and they developed a close friendship. Brennan was a groomsman in Arroyo’s wedding.

“Brent is one of my best friends,” Arroyo said last week. “They’ve done a tremendous job. They’re in their fourth year, and they’ve coached their tail off. You can see it coming to fruition.”

Arroyo downplayed returning to San Jose State. He noted he coached

against the Spartans two years ago as the offensive coordinator at Oregon, but that game was at Autzen Stadium.

He admitted he wasn’t sure where his mind would go when he walked into the stadium.

“It’ll be my first time back in that stadium in a long time,” Arroyo said. “I’ve got a lot of really good memories there. I have a lot of really good friends on that staff and in that town.”

Bay Area News Group Jose Carlos Fajardo Justin Rogers was one of two UNLV quarterbacks to play against San Jose State on Saturday and he had 162 yards passing and a touchdown.