Sept. 18, 2016
For the second time this season, three San Jose State turnovers led to 17 opponent points and a Spartan loss. At CEFCU Stadium, Utah (3-0) posted a 34-17 non-conference win over the Spartans (1-2).
Quarterback Troy Williams completed 20-of 28 passes with one interception for 257 yards and a touchdown as the Utes won their fifth game in a row dating back to the end of the 2015 regular season.
San Jose State scored first on a 29-yard Bryce Crawford field goal on the game's first possession and led, 10-6, with 10:30 left in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kenny Potter to tight end Josh Oliver.
The Utes would close out the half with a pair of touchdowns on a 16-yard run by running back Troy McCormick and Williams' one touchdown pass of 4 yards to Tim Patrick with 0:15 left before halftime for a 20-10 lead. Patrick had personal bests of six receptions for 121 yards.
Utah's defense exerted its will as the game wore on. The Utes sacked San Jose State quarterbacks Potter and back-up Josh Love 10 times. Potter was sacked seven times and left the game after taking hits from Pita Taumoepenu and Chase Hansen on a 5-yard gain in front of the Spartan sideline. Head coach Ron Caragher said Potter left the game with a bruise. Potter completed 10-of-18 passes for 65 yards, had an interception in addition to his touchdown pass and ran 13 times for 20 yards.
Love completed 11-of-21 passes with an interception for 184 yards and a 46-yard touchdown pass to halfback Zamore Zigler with 3:45 left in the game.
Utah outgained San Jose State, 456 to 305. The Utes had three plays of 45 or more yards in the game and scored points on each of those possessions.
The Spartans can get back to .500 on September 24 when they take on Iowa State (0-3) in Ames.