San Jose State pummeled in 62-24 loss

In a season of bad losses, San Jose State might have suffered its worst Saturday in Logan, Utah.

The Spartans lost 62-24 to 14th-ranked Utah State and although the margin of difference didn’t measure up to the 49-point loss to Army last month, this one carried an extraordinarily dark note.

The Spartans allowed 804 yards. It was only the 17th time in NCAA history that a team had broken 800 yards.

Utah State quarterback Jordan Love threw for a career-high 491 yards and five touchdowns on 32-of-42 passing in just three quarters. Darwin Thompson rushed for 140 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries and caught four passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

“Their quarterback is brilliant,” Spartans coach Brent Brennan said after losing for the 20th time in 23 games. “Obviously, his ability to deliver the ball accurately while under duress is amazing.”

SJSU (1-9) actually led this game, going ahead 7-0 on a 41-yard return of a blocked punt by Tre Jenkins. It was 10-10 early in the second quarter.

Then Utah State (9-1) rattled off four consecutive touchdown drives, starting with a 10-play march covering 75 yards and ending with a 12-play, 87-yard march to make it 3810 at halftime. The Aggies had 453 yards and 22 first downs in the first half. San Jose State had five first downs.

It was 62-17 – closing in on the 49-point margin – when SJSU reserve quarterback Michael Carillo connected with Tre Walker on a 75-yard touchdown pass. Walker scored on a 35-yard pass play with Josh Love in the third quarter and finished with seven catches for 209 yards.