Oct. 15, 2016
San Jose State postgame quotes
San Jose, Calif. --- San José State University quarterback Kenny Potter scored the game-winning touchdown on a 3-yard run with 0:50 left in the game giving the Spartans a 14-10 comeback victory over the University of Nevada in a Mountain West conference contest.
Potter's run capped a 12-play, 84-yard drive after Nevada took its only lead of the game, 10-7, on a 46-yard screen pass from quarterback Tyler Stewart to running back James Butler with 6:52 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The San Jose State quarterback scored both Spartan touchdowns on a pair of 3-yard runs. The first came with 11:20 to go in the second quarter giving San Jose State a 7-0 lead. Safety Trevon Bierria set up the scoring drive with his first interception of season at midfield. Bierria's 12-yard return and a 15-yard face mask penalty gave the Spartans their best starting field position for a drive at the Nevada 23.
San Jose State inched its way to paydirt with Malik Roberson making his first start and getting career highs of 35 carries for 139 yards. Roberson took five carries to get it to the Nevada 5-yard line. Potter needed two runs himself for the score.
In last year's 37-34 overtime loss at Nevada, the San Jose State quarterback used his legs and wits to gain 116 yards on 19 carries. Ending a seven-game losing streak to the Wolf Pack and four consecutive losses since September 10, Potter used his guile and courage gaining a net of just 4 yards on 13 carries in the win.
While Potter and Roberson were the focal points of an offense that did not turn over the football once on the night filled with showers, there was a gritty effort by a defense that limited an opponent to one touchdown for the first time in a game since a 47-7 win at New Mexico State in 2012.
Nevada was limited to 257 yards of total offense. Running back James Butler came into the game ranked eighth nationally in rushing averaging 121.3 yards per game. He gained 94 yards on 20 carries and did not have a run of more than 18 yards.
Wolf Pack quarterback Tyler Stewart was 9-of-20 for 144 yards but threw two interceptions. Cornerback Andre Chachere came up with the Spartans' second takeaway on the night early in the fourth quarter.
San Jose State was unable to turn Chachere's interception into points like it did with Bierria's pick. The Spartans had to wait a possession and milked the clock with Potter finding his groove throwing the ball. For the first two quarters, the San Jose State quarterback was 1-of-6 for 29 yards, but was a perfect 4-of-4 on the game-winning drive to finish 11-of-17 for 142 yards.
The Spartans won't have much time to savor the win with their next game taking place Friday, October 21 at San Diego State.