Eugene, Ore.----- The offense that went scoreless a week before at Washington State put points on the Autzen Stadium scoreboard five times against #20-ranked University of Oregon on second-half touchdowns by Josh Oliver and Malike Roberson and three Bryce Crawford field goals in the final three quarters.
But, it was the Ducks' (3-0) ability to create the big play in the passing game and on special teams and convert that sent the Spartans (0-3) back to San Jose with a 35-22 loss.
It turned out both teams scored five times and had two passes intercepted in the game. Oregon was able to take their scoring possessions across the goal line while San Jose State settled for Crawford field goals.
Highly-touted Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert completed just 16-of-34 passes and was intercepted by cornerback Dakari Monroe in the San Jose State end zone and another time by linebacker Jesse Osuna. Still, he threw for touchdowns of 66 yards to tight end Jacob Breeland and two to Johnny Johnson, III, of 39 and 22 yards.
Then there was the punt return prowess of Oregon's Ugochukwu Amadi who returned three Bryce Crawford punts for 100 yards. His 57-yard return early in the third quarter led to a five-play, 22-yard drive and Cyrus Habibi-Likio's second touchdown of the game -- a 1-yard plunge for a 28-6 Ducks' lead.
San Jose State had a pair of big-play special teams plays, too. Bryson Bridges blocked a Zach Emerson 42-yard field goal try with the Spartans trailing, 14-3 in the second quarter, San Jose State turned that possession change into Crawford's second field goal of the game -- a 28-yarder for a 14-6 deficit with 2:58 remaining before halftime.
Then after the second Herbert to Johnson, III, scoring connection, there was Thai Cottrell who patiently weaved his way into and through Oregon's kickoff coverage unit looking to reverse a 35-12 deficit. Cottrell turned on his jets, broke to his left and down the Ducks' sideline for 96 yards before he was chased out of bounds at the Oregon 4-yard line. San Jose State had to settle for Crawford's third and final field goal of the game, a 21-yarder, and trailed, 35-15.
Josh Love started at quarterback for the Spartans and led the team to its two touchdown drives. Joshing around, it was Love to tight end Josh Oliver for 3-yard touchdown. Near the end of the game, Love connected on passes of 33 and 31 yards, respectively, to Malike Roberson and Tre Hartley that preceded Roberson's 5-yard touchdown run and the final score of the game.
Love finished 15-of-31 with two interceptions for 238 yards and a touchdown. Montel Aaron quarterbacked San Jose on three possessions spanning the end of the first and start of the second quarters. Crawford's first field goal of the game was the Spartan points when Aaron was at the helm. Aaron was 5--of-10 for 29 yards.
San Jose State has its one bye week of the season the weekend of September 22 and then embarks on three consecutive home games starting with its Homecoming and Mountain West opening contest against Hawaii (3-1, 0-0 Mountain West) on September 29. Game time is 4:00 p.m. in CEFCU Stadium. Tickets are available by calling (408) 924-7589 or by visiting sjsuspartans.com/tickets.