Nov. 27, 2015
San Jose State postgame quotes
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SAN JOSÉ, Calif. --- Getting outscored 31-13 in the second half, the San José State Spartans fell to the Boise State Broncos, 40-23, in the season finale at Spartan Stadium on Friday, November 27.
Putting up the first points of the game, San José State (5-7, 4-4 Mountain West) scored on its' second drive when placekicker Austin Lopez connected with a 20-yard field goal midway through the opening period.
Scoring at the start of the second quarter, Boise State's (8-4, 5-3 MW) tight end Holden Huff found the end zone on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Brett Rypien with placekicker Tyler Rausa missing the extra point attempt as the kick sails wide right.
The Spartans couldn't capitalize on an opportunity to even the score with the Broncos on the following possession when Lopez's 38-yard field goal attempt missed wide right.
San José State quarterback Kenny Potter connected with an open tight end Billy Freeman for a 35-yard touchdown to give the Spartans a lead 10-6. Freeman finished the day with seven catches for 109 yards.
Completing 28-of-41 passes for the Spartans, Potter threw for 336 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. On the ground, Potter rushed for 46 yards on 19 carries.
Boise State's place kicker Tyler Rausa made a 25-yard field goal as time ran out in the first half. The Spartans led the Broncos 10-9 at halftime.
Scoring on a 5-yard pass from Rypien, the Broncos wide receiver Jeremy McNichols edged past the pylon while being chased down by Spartans' linebacker Christian Tago. Going for a two-point conversion to take a seven-point lead, Boise State was called for offensive pass interference and settled for the extra point to lead San José State 16-10.
Rypien completed 25-of-33 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck led the Broncos with 6 receptions for 45 yards.
Scoring back-to-back touchdowns for the Broncos, McNichols broke loose up the left sideline for an 88-yard touchdown to extend Boise State's lead, 23-10, to wrap up the third quarter. McNichols rushed for 192 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns.
After an interception by Boise State's linebacker Ben Weaver on a Potter pass intended for Freeman, Rausa split the uprights with a 31-yard field goal as San José State trailed 26-10.
On the Spartans' next possession, Potter capped off a 75-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hansell Wilson. San José State was unable to convert the two-point conversion on a Tyler Ervin rush as Boise State led 26-16. Ervin was limited to 11 carries for 52 yards by the Broncos.
McNichols single-handedly moved the Broncos down the field on a 59-yard scoring drive that culminated with a 19-yard touchdown run up the left side. Boise State leads 33-16.
Cutting Boise State's lead back down to 10 points, Potter completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Tim Crawley with 2:55 left in the fourth quarter.
With the Spartans unable to recover an onside kick off attempt, the Broncos running back Kelsey Young scored the final touchdown of the contest on a 34-yard run up the right side.
by Brian S. Stanley, SJSU athletics media relations student assistant