Click here for video highlights.
Click here to see postgame comments.
San Jose, Calif. - Brandon Rutley rushed for 209 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries and Ryan Otten and Matt Faulkner hooked up for two more as the San Jose State Spartans defeated the New Mexico State Aggies 34-24 on Saturday afternoon in Spartan Stadium.
The win is the first of the year for the Spartans (1-3, 1-1 WAC) and ends a 13-game losing streak dating back to 2010. New Mexico State's record is also 1-3, 0-1 in Western Athletic Conference play.
Rutley was a force from start to finish with a career day carrying the football. The 195-pound senior had personal bests of 33 carries for 209 yards and two scores. The first was a spectacular 66-yard burst through the left side of the San Jose State line giving the Spartans a 7-3 with 9:29 to go.
Rutley's second touchdown put San Jose State ahead to stay. His 2-yard run with 13:59 left in the game gave the Spartans a 31-24 lead and was the middle score of a 17-point rally after New Mexico State took a 24-17 advantage with 8:35 left in the third quarter following a 78-yard touchdown run by second-string running back Kenny Turner.
The Aggies' running back did his best to keep up with Rutley. Turner gained 129 yards on 17 carries and made a nifty catch in the end zone on an 18-yard pass from back-up quarterback Matt Christian to give New Mexico State a 10-7 lead in the second quarter.
A BALANCED OFFENSIVE ATTACK
While Rutley was the force of a San Jose State ground attack that produced a season-high 230 yards, the passing game was equally effective with senior Matt Faulkner at the helm. Faulkner completed 24-of-38 for 236 yards and two touchdowns in his most efficient game as a Spartan. There were no interceptions. San Jose State converted a season-best 8-of-15 third down situations and the Spartans' 466 yards of total offense also was a season high.
Tight end Ryan Otten and wide receiver Chandler Jones each caught six passes, but it was Otten who was the Spartans' prime-time pass catcher. His three second-half receptions resulted in two San Jose State touchdowns and a first-down prior to his 3-yard pass from Faulkner that tied the game at 24-24 with 3:19 left in the third quarter.
Otten, who matched a career-high with his six receptions, gave San Jose State its first second-half lead, 17-10, with a 64-yard reception on the Spartans' second play after halftime.
AGGIES MOVE BALL FOR THREE QUARTERS
Even without the WAC's leading passer in sophomore Andrew Manley and its top rusher, Robert Clay, New Mexico State rolled up a season-high 423 yards. Christian was 17-of-28 with one interception for 238 yards and a touchdown. The Aggies' quarterback also rushed for 58 yards and scored on a 9-yard scamper to tie the game at 17-17.
Two plays after Turner's 78-yard touchdown run that gave New Mexico State its last lead of the day figured significantly in ouitcome. One was a James Orth interception that returned the ball to the Spartans and resulted in Rutley's last touchdown run.
MORE RUTLEY & AN ALVERNIK BOOST
The second play was on the kickoff after the Rutley early fourth-quarter score. Wide receiver Taveon Rogers of the Aggies, a target of the four National football Lerague team scouts present, was tackled cleanly by special teams player Ralph Johnson on a 16-yard return. Rogers hurt the Spartans early with five catches for 120 yards and did not play the remainder of the game.
Two field goals by Jens Alvernik, one of 42 and the second of 31, figured into the San Jose State win. The second field goal was set up by a 47-yard Rutley rampage through the Aggies' defense and resulted in the game's final score.
The Spartan defense took over after that keeping New Mexico State off the scorebaord and setting up an ice-water dumping over the head of San Jose State head coach Mike MacIntyre in the game's final moments.
San Jose State returns to action Saturday, October 1 when they travel to the Colorado State Rams for a non-conference game.