San José, Calif. - Playing one of its best games to date on the 2019 season, San José State led No. 21 Boise State after three quarters before the Broncos (7-1, 4-0 Mountain West) were ultimately able to climb past the Spartans (4-5, 1-4) on a crisp night at CEFCU Stadium.
Quarterback Josh Love threw for 438 yards and totaled three touchdowns, but Boise State was able to come away with a 52-42 victory.
"What a game," said head coach Brent Brennan. "There were moments in that game when I felt like we had a real chance to get it done. It was a battle for both teams."
SJSU jumped out to a dream start in Saturday's contest as the offense found the end zone on its first two possessions. Senior running back DeJon Packer punctuated the opening drive with a little one-yard touchdown jaunt and it was Love who called his own number on the next, scampering four yards to put his team up 14-0 less than 12 minutes into the game.
The series of scores marked the team's first time starting a game with two scoring drives since its season-opening victory over Northern Colorado.
It was kicker Matt Mercurio who tallied San José State's next points, answering a punt return for a touchdown with a 35-yard field goal. The make was the first of two 35-yarders on the day for the freshman, who has now converted on 12 consecutive field goal attempts in his first season on campus.
The Spartans would score once more before the halftime break, finishing their longest touchdown drive of the night (six plays, 83 yards) with a 16-yard pass from Love to freshman wide receiver Isaiah Hamilton. Hamilton would end the day with three receptions for 32 yards.
Back-to-back Boise State touchdowns gave the visiting team its first lead of the game at 31-27 late in the third quarter, however, SJSU would be undeterred. Embarking on a six play, 75-yard drive that took just over two and a half minutes, the team grabbed the lead right back on Packer's second scoring scamper of the night.
This one came from three yards out, punctuating a possession that was jump-started by a 40-yard completion to wide receiver Tre Walker on its first play. It was a night filled with highlights for Walker, who would end the game with nine catches, 193 yards and one reception on a two-point conversion.
Two more Bronco touchdown drives gained the lead back - and extended it - for the country's 21st-ranked team, but once again it was San José State which refused to die.
Love was able to find senior receiver Bailey Gaither in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown pass with 3:56 still to play and the Spartans trimmed the deficit to just three points when Love and Walker converted on the ensuing two-point conversion. Gaither also shined in the passing game all night long, bringing in eight receptions for 110 yards.
The late comeback attempt was ultimately extinguished when Boise State recovered the ensuing onside kick. Its offense would then convert two first downs before scoring one final touchdown to seal the deal on the 52-42 victory.
SJSU entered Saturday as the nation's No. 2 team in turnover margin and got another interception from senior cornerback Brandon Ezell. The defense and special teams unit combined to force four fumbles on the night but the Broncos were able to recover each one.
San José State ended the night with a 497-466 advantage in total yards and out-gained its opponent 438-213 through the air. The offense had one of its most successful games of the season, converting on all seven of its trips to the red zone.
"I thought Josh was fantastic," Brennan said when asked about his passing game. "Bailey and Tre were outstanding as well and our tight ends got involved in there. Josh did a great job of distributing the football tonight."
The Spartans now set their sights on a road trip to Hawaii on Saturday, November 9. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. (HT) at Aloha Stadium.
Gallery: (11/2/2019) Football vs. Boise State