NashNash

Spartans Come From Behind To Defeat UNLV

LAS VEGAS - Nick Nash accounted for 334 yards of total offense including a 15-yard rushing touchdown with 7:14 left in the fourth quarter that gave San Jose State football their first lead of the night as the Spartans erased a 14-point deficit to take down UNLV, 27-20, on Thursday evening at Allegiant Stadium. 

UNLV took advantage of a couple short field situations after the Spartans fumbled the opening kickoff and again inside the 20 yard line in the second quarter, scoring touchdowns in both situation to build a 17-3 lead with just under six minutes to play in the first half. San Jose State responded with a field goal by Matt Mercurio, his second of the night, to cut the deficit back down to 17-6.


 


It appeared the Spartans were destined to go into the locker room down by 11, however Cade Hall provided a momentum swing that pulsed throughout Allegiant Stadium by forcing a fumble as the Rebels were looking to run out the clock. The Spartans got the ball back with just 16 ticks on the clock, but needed only 14 to punch the ball into the endzone. Nash found Derrick Deese, Jr. among a wave of Rebel defensive backs for a 32-yard gain down to the one yard line. Tyler Nevens took care of the rest as he punched it in for his fifth rushing touchdown of the season to cut the deficit to four at 17-13. 



The Spartans continued to fight in the second half as the defense put a clamp down on the UNLV offense, allowing just three more points the rest of the way. Nevens scored his second touchdown of the night on a 10-yard scamper to open the fourth quarter and tie the game at 20, and the defense responded on the ensuing Rebel possession with Jay Lenard blocking a potential go-ahead field goal. The block was San Jose State's fourth of the season (three field goals, one punt). With momentum on the Spartans' side, Nash put the ball in his own hands, scoring what would prove to be the game-winner. 
 


The Rebels had one final chance to tie the game late in the fourth as they put together a drive that took them deep into Spartan Territory, however the defense was up for the task one final time as Kyle Harmon recorded a sack just before time expired to send San Jose State back home with a .500 mark in Mountain West play (2-2). 

First and 10

  • Nash ( 213 yards passing, 121 rushing) became the first San Jose State quarterback to rush for 100 or more yards since Kenny Potter rushed for 116 on 19 carries against Nevada on November 15, 2015.
  • Deese Jr., once again led the Spartan receiving corps with six catches for 106 yards. It was Deese's third 100-yard receiving game of the season. 
  • Nevens finished with two touchdowns for his first multi-touchdown game of the season.
  • A pair of Spartans made big plays in the same sequence in the Spartans' game-winning drive. Isaiah Hamilton recorded a 54-yard rush in his first touch of the season, however the ball was popped free. Luckily Jermaine Braddock was able to dive on the ball to keep the drive alive. 
  • Mercurio finished 2-for-2 in field goal attempts, his eighth career game with multiple field goals. 
  • E.J. Ane recorded his first sack of the season. 
  • San Jose State outgained UNLV 429-335 in total offense. 

The Spartans return to action next weekend against Wyoming. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. PT on Oct. 30.