San Jose State’s cathartic victory
When the final seconds of the Mountain West championship ticked away Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, San Jose State’s ensuing celebration wasn’t just an exhibition of joy. It was catharsis.
San Jose State held off Boise State’s late second-half push, winning 34-20 to claim the first Mountain West championship in program history.
As the Mountain West champions, San Jose State (7- 0) will have a chance to pin a bow on its perfect season. The Spartans are slotted to play Ball State in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson on New Year’s Eve.
Nick Starkel, a graduate transfer from Arkansas, threw for 453 yards and three touchdowns, and the defense held Boise State to 12 yards rushing and 233 yards total in a dominant display in front of a national TV audience.
When the Spartans got back to their jubilant locker room, they cut loose with a rendition of Bill Withers’ classic “Lean on Me.”
“That celebration was everything,” Starkel said. “It was the culmination of just this whole season. We sang ‘Lean on Me.’ That’s how this team fights. We lean on each other.”
For the Spartans, Saturday wasn’t just about the conference title. It wasn’t just about defeating Boise State for the first time in 15 attempts. It wasn’t just about winning its first conference title in nearly three decades.
San Jose State probably shouldn’t have been here.
Not after traveling more than 300 miles north to Humboldt State to practice in the middle of a semester to prepare for the season because of Santa Clara County COVID-19 restrictions.
Not after missing games in back-to-back weeks last month because of opponents’ coronavirus issues.
Not after setting up its home base in Las Vegas the past two weeks because of more coronavirus orders.
Not after being picked to finish near the Mountain West’s cellar.
But, the Spartans, in defiance of logic, climbed the mountain.
“What a night for San Jose State University,” coach Brent Brennan said. “What a night for our players and our fans. It’s just been a beautiful journey. It’s been magical.”