San Jose State rallies, reaches MW title game
Spartans’ comeback latest chapter in remarkable season
A season that began with typically low outside expectations for San Jose State’s football team has nearly reached the mountaintop.
Picked 10th in a poll by the website Mountain West Wire just before the rebooted season began in late October, San Jose Stare has earned a date with the team chosen first.
The Spartans will play Boise State in the Mountain West championship game next Saturday because they found a way to keep their magical season going Friday night after an un-Spartan-like — at least in 2020 — first half against Nevada.
Through 30 minutes at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas — San Jose State’s temporary home because of Santa Clara County coronavirus restrictions — the undefeated Spartans looked as if the grueling nature of a season filled with endless challenges had finally set in.
What followed in their 3020 victory was a testament to the team’s identity.
San Jose State (6-0) outscored Nevada 23-0 in the second half. The Spartans erased a 13-point deficit, their largest of the season, with sudden recharges to their running attack and pass rush.
“We broke it down really simple at halftime,” coach Brent Brennan said. “We need to fix two things. We need to fix our physicality, and we need to play for each other.”
The Spartans’ victory was all the more remarkable given the context of the entire season, from the two canceled games to the malleable schedule to their nomadic status that — because of county orders — included a 10-day stay at Humboldt State before the opener in October and now a week-plus relocation to Las Vegas.
“We’re doing things that other teams have never done before,” running back Tyler Nevens said after he ran for 184 yards and a touchdown in 12 carries against Nevada. “Our struggles that we’ve gone (through) throughout the season shaped us.”
Friday’s spark came from Shamar Garrett, who one year ago this weekend was leading powerhouse De La Salle High School of Concord into a state championship game.
Garrett began the second half with a 98-yard kickoff return for his first college touchdown, darting through the middle before finding an opening on the left side to slice the deficit to 20-14.
“That was the flame that sparked it all,” Nevens said.