Spartans’ comeback bid falls just short
RENO >> The San Jose State Spartans have created an identity this season by capitalizing on their opponent’s mistakes and turning them into turnovers.
On Saturday, however, it was their own mistakes that cost the Spartans dearly.
Plagued by a botched opening snap, two turnovers and an early 21-point deficit, San Jose State still managed to rally and tie the score twice in the fourth quarter, the second time with 2:36 remaining. But Nevada ended the comeback bid with a 40-yard field goal as time expired, pinning the Spartans with a 41-38 loss at Mackay Stadium.
The loss comes as their 10th against Nevada in their last 11
meetings. SJSU (3-3, 1-2 Mountain West) hasn’t won in Reno since 2000.
Coming off of their second-best passing game this season against New Mexico, the Spartans began their first possession of the afternoon looking to air the ball out against one of the shakiest secondaries in the Mountain West in Nevada.
A botched opening snap that grazed starting quarterback Josh Love in the arm put San Jose State in a second-and-29 nightmare, though, nixing those hopes almost immediately.
Following a six-play, 66yard drive that gave the Wolf Pack an early 7-0 lead, another Spartans hiccup doubled Nevada’s lead in a matter of seconds.
Looking for Billy Bob Humphreys down field, Love threw into quadruple coverage, putting the ball up for grabs. Nevada defensive back Austin Arnold came down with the interception, taking the ball to the end zone for a pick-six.
After a 77-yard drive and a 24-yard field goal, Nevada put itself up by 21 points late in the second half.
But with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Hamilton, Love, who finished the game with 405 yards and three touchdowns, brought the Spartans within 14 before the end of the first half.
On the opening play of the third quarter, Wolf Pack quarterback Malik Henry connected with Romeo Doubs for a 75-yard score, increasing their lead to 31-10.
Despite this massive hole, San Jose State did not waiver, scoring a touchdown of its own in two plays just 35 seconds later. It then followed up the score with a second touchdown in three possessions to close the gap to 7 with just over six minutes to play in the third quarter.
Forcing a fumble on the goal line in the fourth quarter, the Spartans turned Nevada’s third turnover into seven more points, tying the game at 31.
After trading touchdowns on each of their ensuing offensive possessions, the Spartans couldn’t hold up on the defensive side. The Wolf Pack wound the clock down to six seconds with a seven-play, 46-yard drive to set up a game-winning field goal from Nevada kicker Brandon Talton.
The lone bright spot of the Spartans’ rushing game, which produced 15 yards on 16 carries, was backup quarterback Nick Nash, who led the team in rushing with 232 yards before the game.
Nash had 23 yards on three carries before suffering a lower body injury in the first quarter. Nash was carried off the field.
The school didn’t disclose what the specific injury is or what a timetable may be for his recovery.