Aug. 28, 2014
In a performance that San Jose State fans became accustomed to seeing the last two years, the Spartans' starting quarterback was an efficient 22-25 for 250 yards and three touchdowns.
The difference on Thursday night in Spartan Stadium, was that in the SJSU 42-10 win over the University of North Dakota, it was Blake Jurich who was leading the offense and not David Fales.
"I was encouraged by the game we had tonight," head coach Ron Caragher said. "I like how we came out fast. On offense we spread the ball around effectively and ran the it well."
The Spartans scored on each of their first three possessions. Jurich had touchdown strikes of 14 yards to wide receiver Tyler Winston and three yards to running back Shane Smith. He also added had a two-yard touchdown run to built a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
North Dakota made it 21-3 on a Reid Taubenheim 42-yard field goal with 1:53 to go before the half.
Brandon Monroe scored his first collegiate score on a two-yard plunge in the third quarter and Tyler Ervin had a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown as San Jose State built a 35-3 advantage into the fourth quarter.
The Spartans capped their scoring on Winston's second touchdown from Jurich, an 18-yard strike with 8:26 to play.
Jurich connected with eight receivers on the night led by Winston's 10 grabs for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Hansell Wilson had four catches for 85 yards and Smith's touchdown was one of his three receptions on the night.
The Spartans out gained North Dakota 406-to-244 which included 150 yards on the ground. Thomas Tucker led the team with 20 rushes for 86 yards. Monroe had 37 yards on nine rushes.
The San Jose State defense, under first year defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, had seven tackles for loss and an interception from Cleveland Wallace, III.
"There was some great open field tackling and players were running hard and fast to the ball," Caragher said of the defense.
The Spartans now have nine days to get ready for nationally-ranked Auburn, Saturday, September 6, in Jordan Hare Stadium.