SAN JOSE, Calif. - Behind a tenacious performance from linebackers Alii Matau and Kyle Harmon, and safety Jay Lenard, San Jose State football played one of their best defensive games of the season as they held No. 24 San Diego State to just 240 yards of total offense and zero touchdowns in regulation, however the Aztecs ultimately came away with a 19-13 victory in double overtime to survive the upset bid.
Despite the final score, the Spartans had no reason to hang their heads as they held the nation's 10th-ranked rushing offense to just 70 yards, while rushing for 116 yards against the nation's second-best run defense. The Aztecs entered the night averaging 244.4 rushing yards per game and had their five-game streak of at least 200 yards rushing snapped. The defense held SDSU running back Greg Bell, second in the MW at 104 yards per game, to just 41 yards on 19 carries and zero touchdowns.
After a defensive scrum that lasted for the entirety of regulation, the Spartans had one final chance to take the lead with 15 seconds remaining as Matt Mercurio took a swing at a 52-yard field goal looking to break the 6-6 tie, however the kick came up just short. In overtime, it was San Diego State that struck first as Jordan Matthews scored on a 14-yard reception in the back of the endzone. The Spartans punched right back on their offensive possession as Nick Nash found Derrick Deese Jr. for a big 25-yard gain, setting up a one-yard dive by Tyler Nevens for tie.
Unfortunately the second overtime went the Aztecs' way as Nash's third down pass was intercepted in the endzone. After the Spartan Defense bowed up to shut down Bell on back-to-back carries, San Diego State once again threw the ball in Matthews' direction on third down. Matthews, who was held to just two receptions for 16 yards in regulation, came down with the catch for the game-winning score.
First and 10
- Matau, Harmon and Leonard all finished with eight tackles to lead the defensive effort. Matau added a pair of tackles for loss, including a sack. Lenard also came away with a sack - a nine-yard loss back inside the Aztecs' five yard line midway through the fourth quarter.
- The Spartans finished with three sacks and seven tackles for loss, and held the Aztecs to just 5-of-16 on third down conversions.
- Nash was 16-of-34 for 228 yards and an interception, and added 27 yards rushing.
- Nevens won the battle of the running backs with a game-high 73 yards and a touchdown. His 73 yards rushing are the second-most individual yards allowed by the San Diego State defense this season (New Mexico's Aaron Dumas - 77 yards).
- The Spartans finished with 116 total rushing yards against the nation's second-best run defense that was allowing just 50 yards per game entering the contest.
- San Jose State out-gained the Aztecs 344-240 in total offense.
- Deese Jr., had another big game from the tight end position, finishing with six catches for a game-high 113 yards.
- Matt Mercurio was 2-for-3 in field goal attempts.
- The Spartans struggled with penalties on the night, finishing with 12 for 101 yards. None were bigger than a facemask penalty that nullified a 30-yard touchdown connection between Nash and Charles Ross in the first quarter.
The Spartans (3-4, 1-2 MW) return to action this Thursday against UNLV. Kickoff from Las Vegas is set for 8:00 p.m. PT.