Logan, Utah ----- San Jose State University scored first, but Utah State scored often as the #14-ranked Aggies powered through the Spartans in a decisive second quarter for a 62-24 Mountain West football victory.
Utah State (9-1, 6-0 Mountain West) broke open a 10-10 tie in the second quarter with four unanswered touchdowns and a 38-10 halftime lead. The Aggies seemed to take advantage of every San Jose State (1-9, 1-5 Mountain West) mistake, whether it was a penalty, missed tackle or turnover.
Every Utah State score in the first half had a play in the drive of 20 or more yards. By halftime, the Aggies had piled up 453 of its school record 806 yards of total offense. Utah State was relentless with its fast-paced offense that ran off 54 of its 90 plays in the first two quarters of the game alone. The second half was more of the same big-play strikes leading to Utah State scores.
The Spartans had their share of big plays, too, taking a 7-0 lead when freshman Tre Jenkins picked up Taylor Hintze's botched punt attempt at the Utah State 41-yard line and raced to the end zone for the game's first score. Hintze was unable to handle the snap cleanly, picked up the ball, attempted to punt, missed and Jenkins was there to claim the loose ball and run untouched into the end zone.
After that, the big plays mainly were in the form of long pass plays to wide receiver Tre Walker who finished with seven receptions for 209 yards and both San Jose State second-half touchdowns, and passes to tight ends Josh Oliver (two) and Brett Foley (one). None of the three 20-plus yard pass plays to the Spartan tight ends led to a score.
Quarterback Josh Love played just over three quarters and completed 18-of-36 with two interceptions for 210 yards and a 35-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to Walker cutting the margin to 45-17. Michael Carrillo saw action in both halves and completed 4-of-6 for 134 yards and a 75-yard scoring strike to Walker, for the game's final score.
San Jose State did gain 400 yards of total offense, 344 through the air, but needed more help from its ground attack that was limited to 56 net yards. Though Love and Carrillo were sacked just once combined, they took repeated hits from Utah State defenders that came up with two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the game.
Aggie quarterback Jordan Love, no relation to Josh Love of the Spartans, completed 32-of-42 passes for 491 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Darwin Thompson hurt San Jose State all day long scoring on an 88-yard touchdown run as part of a 140-yard rushing game and catching touchdown passes of 7 and 59 yards from Jordan Love.
San Jose State closes out its home schedule, Saturday, November 17 hosting Nevada, in a 2:00 p.m. game. It will be Senior Day recognizing those Spartans playing their final home game.
