Oct. 8, 2016
San Jose, Calif.----- On a promising sunny afternoon in CEFCU Stadium, San Jose State University scored on its first two offensive possessions.
The Spartans settled for a Bryce Crawford 20-yard field goal after using its ground attack down to the Hawaii 2-yard line. The next time San Jose State had the ball, quarterback Kenny Potter connected with Justin Holmes in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown play and a 10-3 lead at the start of the second quarter.
After that, San Jose State's Homecoming football game was a homecoming for Hawaii starting quarterback Dru Brown from Monte Sereno and nearby Los Gatos High School as the Rainbow Warriors won their second game in two weeks, 34-17.
In his second start for the Rainbow Warriors (3-3, 2-0 Mountain West), Brown scored on a 62-yard fourth down run to give Hawaii its first lead of the game and passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns.
Brown's touchdown run came on a 4th-and-1, one of two critical fourth down plays that went in Hawaii's favor in the game. With the score tied at 10-10 midway in the second quarter, Brown faked a handoff, bootlegged to right and found open field on the way to giving the Rainbow Warriors a lead in the game they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
Fourth down plays were troublesome for the Spartans (1-5, 0-2 Mountain West).
Crawford had a 50-yard field goal attempt blocked at the line of scrimmage after linebacker Frank Ginda was involved in his second big play of the third quarter. Ginda forced wide receiver Ammon Barker to fumble a short pass reception that was recovered by defensive tackle Bryson Bridges at the Hawaii 31-yard line.
At that point, San Jose State missed out on an opportunity to tie the score at 24-24, but still was within striking distance.
Two Hawaii possessions later, the Rainbow Warriors were faced with a 4th-and-1 at the San Jose State 35-yard line. A delay of game penalty against the Spartans' defense gave Hawaii a first down. On the next play, running back Steven Lakalaka raced 30 yards to the end zone and a 31-17 Hawaii lead with 12:53 to go.
After Holmes' touchdown catch, the Spartans were inconsistent on offense the rest of the way. San Jose State's last touchdown of the game came on Frank Ginda's 19-yard scoring run after defensive end Isaiah Irving sacked Brown forcing a loose ball. With 4:16 remaining in the third quarter trailing 24-17, the Spartans had plenty of time for a successful comeback.
Potter had a rough last three quarterscompleting 13-of-26 with three interceptions for 121 yards and no touchdowns. He also was sacked five times in the game.
Hawaii would outgain San Jose State, 431 to 339, and finish with a season-high six quarterback sacks.
The Spartans return to action, Saturday, October 15, hosting Nevada in a 7:30 p.m. game in CEFCU Stadium.