San Jose, Calif. --- Quarterback Matt Faulkner came off the bench and led San Jose State inside the "red zone" three times in the fourth quarter. A Brandon Rutley 1-yard run with 7:59 to go left the Spartans trailing Nevada, 17-14.
The score stayed that way in the end despite Faulkner taking San Jose State 69 yards on 13 plays when Wolf Pack safety Duke Williams stepped in front of wide receiver Chandler Jones and intercepted Faulkner's pass in the end zone to preserve Nevada's slim margin of victory.
For the second week in a row, San Jose State's defense did not back down. Nevada's 17 points are the fewest scored by the Wolf Pack in a conference game since a 38-7 loss to Boise State in 2006.
Nevada (1-1, 1-0 WAC) outgained San Jose State, 373-290, but only got a third-quarter 18-yard field goal from Anthony Martinez as its only second-half points. In each of the last two seasons, the Wolf Pack gained over 600 yards in their wins over the Spartans.
Faulkner entered the game for starter Dasmen Stewart with 4:27 to go in the third quarter and the score 17-7 in favor of Nevada. In just over a quarter of action, Faulkner was 10-for-19 for 131 yards for the Spartans (0-3, 0-1 WAC).
NEVADA THREATENS AND SCORES FIRST
The San Jose State defense came up with four takeaways. A Peyton Thompson interception in the end zone was the Spartans' first and kept Nevada off the scoreboard. Quarterback Tyler Lantrip led the Wolf Pack on an 11-play, 77-yard drive which featured seven Mike Ball runs for a total of 50 yards, including a 4-yard scoring dive to stake Nevada to a 7-0 lead with 2:46 left in the first quarter.
The Spartans went three and out on their next possession, but on Waid's punt, Nevada returner Rishard Matthews bobbled the catch. Ben Zorn pounced on the loose ball and set San Jose State up on the Nevada 34-yard line. Two plays later, starting quarterback Dasmen Stewart scampered 28 yards around the right side to tie the score, 7-7, with 27 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
On the first possession of the second quarter, Nevada drove 26 yards on seven plays to the Spartans 41. Lantrip, tried to go downfield but his pass was picked off by linebacker Pompey Festejo at the 25. Festejo returned it to the Nevada 45, but was stripped. Lantrip recovered the fumble on his own 43.
The Wolf Pack then went 57 yards on nine plays and capped the drive with Ball's second touchdown of the game, a one-yard dive. With 8:48 to go in the half, Nevada led 14-7.
The Wolf Pack had another chance to score before the half, but San Jose State's defense stopped them three times inside the 5-yard line and the teams went to the locker rooms with the Spartans trailing 14-7.
A Nevada field goal with 4:27 to go in the third extended the Wolf Pack lead to 17-7.
On the next possession, Faulkner entered the game with San Jose State having gained 79 total yards on the day. He led the Spartans to a fourth quarter score and 211 yards of offense. Six San Jose State receivers caught 152 yards of passing led by Chandler Jones' five receptions for 36 yards. Rutley was the Spartans leading rusher with 86 yards on 17 carries.
Mike Ball led the Wolf Pack rushing attack with 124 yards and two touchdowns on 29 attempts. Matthews caught seven balls for 77 yards and Lantrip was 11-for-21 for 112 yards.
The Spartans host the New Mexico State Aggies next Saturday, September 24 in Spartan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.