Nov. 16, 2013
San Jose State Game Notes Coach Caragher Post Game Video
Reno, Nev.-----A season-high 311 rushing yards for the University of Nevada paved the way for the Wolf Pack's 38-16 win over San Jose State University in a Mountain West football game.
Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo scored on a 17-yard run in the third quarter and finished with 104 yards on 14 carries. In all, Nevada scored four of its five touchdowns on the ground. Running backs Kendall Brock scored on runs of 2 and 1 yard and Don Jackson added a second-half touchdown run of 39 yards as the Spartans (5-5, 4-3 Mountain West) lost their second game in a row. Brock gained 85 yards on 17 carries.
The Wolf Pack (4-7, 3-5 Mountain West) took control of the game in the second half after taking a 21-16 halftime lead. Jackson's 39-yard run with 7:02 left in the third quarter gave Nevada a 28-16 lead prior to Fajardo extending the advantage to 35-16.
San Jose State went scoreless in the second half for the first time in conference play. Four times, the Spartans started second-half possessions inside its own 20-yard line including twice inside the 10.
Ironically, San Jose State's only touchdown drive of the game was its longest of the season, an 8-play, 94-yard drive culminating in a 5-yard touchdown possession by tight end Billy Freeman. The throw by quarterback David Falesgave the Spartans their only lead of the game, 10-7, late in the first quarter.
The Spartans had success moving the ball on the ground and in the air in the first half, but found themselves trading Austin Lopezfield goals with Nevada touchdowns. Lopez connected on kicks of 47, 44 and 50 at the end of the first half to keep San Jose State within range of the Wolf Pack going into the second half.
San Jose State had two chances to take a second-half lead, but gained only one first down after taking the third quarter kickoff. Nevada looked like it was going to score right after that, but a mishandled handoff at the Spartans' 4-yard line was recovered by San Jose State's Bené Benwikere. After Nevada's defense held the Spartans to a three-and-out, Fajardo efficiently engineered drives of 62 and 64 yards giving the Wolf Pack their 35-16 lead with 3:08 left in the third quarter.
The Nevada quarterback completed 20-of-27 for 171 yards and a first-half touchdown pass of two yards to wide receiver Brandon Wimberly.
San Jose State had seven second-half possessions and only once was able to move the ball into Nevada territory. The Spartans' best chance to score stalled at the Wolf Pack 4-yard line when a Fales fourth-down pass to Tim Crawleywas knocked way by Nevada's Markus Smith.
Fales registered his seventh 300-plus passing yardage game of the season completing 28-of-43 for 326 yards and a touchdown, but faced heavier and heavier pressure as the game wore on. Nevada, which outgained San Jose State, 482 to 384, was credited with five sacks, three on Fales and two on Blake Jurich, in on the final Spartan possession of the game.
San Jose State has one less to regroup after its bus ride home. The Spartans host Navy, Friday, November 22 in a 6:30 p.m. game in Spartan Stadium.