Las Cruces, N.M.-----It was the big play on both sides of the ball in the first half for San Jose State in a 47-7 win over New Mexico State in a Western Athletic Conference game.
Three touchdown plays of 50 or more yards and a 37-yard fumble return by defensive back Bené Benwikere propelled the Spartans to a 37-0 halftime lead.
The Spartans (8-2, 4-1 WAC) picked up their fourth win in a row and matched their win total of the last three seasons combined.
The defense did its part in the win coming up with the Benwikere score, three other Aggie turnovers and stopping New Mexico State on the San Jose State 1-yard line on fourth down at the end of the second quarter. The Aggies were limited to 220 yards offensively compared to San Jose State's 505 yards.
Like the UTSA game when the Spartans scored early and often, San Jose State needed only 12 snaps for five touchdowns. Four touchdown drives took two plays or less.
For the second time in 2012, quarterback David Fales threw four touchdown passes in a game. Fales' day was over early in the quarter after completing 12-of-18 passes with an interception for 276 yards.
Running back De'Leon Eskridge initiated the touchdown parade with a 63-yard run through the middle of the New Mexico State (1-9, 0-5 WAC) defense with 6:13 to go in the first quarter. Eskridge gained 96 yards on just six carries as the Spartans rushed for 204 yards.
Two of Fales' touchdown throws came on first-down passes in the flat that quickly inflated the Spartans' scoring total on the day.
First, it was Chandler Jones in the left flat for what turned out to be a 70-yard catch-and-run with 1:00 left in the first quarter. Following Jones' second touchdown of the game on a 14-yard pass from Fales, Ina Liaina hauled in his first catch of the afternoon in the right flat, turned up field and raced past only one Aggie defender for a 58-yard scoring play.
Fales' last touchdown pass was a 36-yard pass to a wide-open Ryan Otten on a post pattern on San Jose State's first third-quarter possession. Harrison Waid kicked a 38-yard field goal at the end of the quarter to close out the scoring.
New Mexico State scored its touchdown in the final minute to avert a shutout.
San Jose State now turns its attention to a pair of home games to close out the season. Brigham Young on November 17 and Louisiana Tech on November 24 are on their way to Spartan Stadium.