Logan, Utah-----With 47 seconds remaining, San Jose State quarterback Matt Faulkner thought he could take the team downfield for a third last-minute drive for a game-winning score. After all, he did twice earlier in the season.
The drive stalled at midfield and Harrison Waid's 67-yard field goal try on the final play of the game was blocked at the line of scrimmage giving Utah State (4-5, 2-2 WAC) a 34-33 win over the Spartans.
For the second week in a row, the penchant for gaining turnovers and a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by freshman Tyler Ervin propelled San Jose State (3-7, 2-4 WAC) to a significant halftime lead. Saturday at Roney Stadium, San Jose State held a 20-7 advantage going into the locker room. Jens Alvernik's record-setting fourth field goal of the game with 8:21 remaining put the Spartans ahead 33-21.
But, two touchdown passes by Aggie quarterback Adam Kennedy in the final 5:19 proved to be the difference on the scoreboard.
San Jose State picked up four Utah State fumbles and added an interception, but turned the five turnovers gained into just 13 points. Three of the fumble recoveries came in the fourth quarter, but the Aggies, playing without starting quarterback Chuckie Keeton, still survived to win their second game in a row with a final minute touchdown. Keeton suffered a neck injury in the Hawaii game on November 5.
The Spartans scored the first four times they touched the ball. A pair of Jens Alvernik field goals from 27 and 38 yards preceded the 95-yard kickoff return by freshman Tyler Ervin. In between the Alvernik field goals Ervin's weaving touchdown run, Utah State's Robert Turbin gave the Aggies a 7-6 lead on a 39-yard touchdown burst over the left side.
San Jose State finished the first quarter with a 20-7 lead on a 5-yard scoring run by Brandon Rutley. The 64-yard drive was set up by the Spartan defense that stopped Utah State quarterback Adam Kennedy for no gain on a 4th-and-2 play from the San Jose State 36-yard line.
The Utah State ground game produced 286 yards and big plays from Turbin who finished with 128 yards and two scores. Number-two running back Michael Smith hurt the Spartans with a 77-yard touchdown run with 2:22 left in the third quarter leaving San Jose State with a 23-31 advantage.
Jabari Carr's 34-yard touchdown grab from Matt Faulkner, very reminiscent of the two hooking up for the game-winner at Colorado State, and Alvernik's fourth field goal, a 24-yarder, gave San Jose State its 33-21 lead that it did not hold.
The Aggies outgained the Spartans, 541 to 394. Faulkner threw for 340 yards and a touchdown. For the third game in a row, San Jose State was unable to gain 100 yards rushing finishing with just 54 net yards.
San Jose State returns to Spartan Stadium for its final home game, Sunday, November 19, against Navy. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m.