SAN JOSE, Calif. – San José State erased a 28-point halftime deficit by scoring 30 unanswered points in the third quarter, however a pair of fourth quarter interceptions doomed the Spartans' comeback bid as Colorado State defeated SJSU 42-30 Saturday at CEFCU Stadium.
It was a tale of two halves for the Spartans as they had just 80 yards of offense in the first half. SJSU came out of the half on fire as they scored on four-straight possessions and added a safety to take a 30-28 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The scoring got started as Josh Love hooked up with Tre Hartley for the first of three touchdown passes in the quarter. Tyler Nevens, in his first playing time since suffering an injury in the season-opener against UC Davis, then scored from six yards out before Love, who passed for 143 yards in the third quarter alone, hooked up with Hartley for the second time and followed with a one-yard scoring toss to Thai Cottrell.
Colorado State (2-4, 1-1) fumbled the ball out of bounds at the two yard line on the ensuing kickoff setting up Boogie Roberts' safety with just :23 seconds left in the quarter to take a 30-28 lead. It is the first safety for the Spartans since the 2012 Military Bowl.
The 30 point-quarter was the most since the 2004 Rice game when the Spartans scored 35.
The Rams answered however in the fourth quarter as Izzy Matthews, who finished with a game-high 125 yards rushing, scored from a yard out with 11:26 left. Love then threw his first of two interceptions on the ensuing possession as Rashad Ajayi picked off a pass and returned it 55 yards for the game-sealing score with 9:48 left.
The Spartans (0-5, 0-2) finished with 285 yards of offense, 205 of which coming in the second half. Love finished 17-of-40 for 232 and three touchdowns, his second-straight game with three touchdown passes. Nevens led the team in rushing with 73 yards on 20 attempts and the score.
Colorado State's KJ Carta-Samuels passed for 162 yards and four touchdowns. The Spartans intercepted him twice as Zamore Zigler and Alli Matau each notched their first picks on the season. Dakari Monroe finished with four pass break ups, just one shy of the SJSU school record.
San Jose State now turns their attention to Levi's Stadium where they will host Army for their next game on October 13. First kick is set for 12:30 p.m. PT and will be carried by ESPNU.
(10/6/2018) SJSU Football vs. Colorado State