SAN JOSE, Calif.----- In the last three weeks, San Jose State University demonstrated it can win games in the fourth quarter.
That didn't happen in a 30-7 loss to USC the second week of the season, but since a bye week the weekend of September 11, the Spartans (3-2) combined timely offense, a stout defense and key special teams plays to outlast Hawaii, 17-13, in their Mountain West opener. A Hawaii pass into the end zone was incomplete preserving the San Jose State win.
Back home for the first time since the August 28 win over Southern Utah, the Spartan defense again came up with some big plays and the "hands" unit recovered a New Mexico State onside kick attempt with less than 2:00 remaining in San Jose State's 37-31 non-conference triumph over a determined Aggie squad.
That's now two wins by six points or less relying on winning the fourth quarter.
NASH STARTS AT QUARTERBACK
Scoring more than 30 points for just the second time this season, San Jose State turned to Nick Nash, the roommate of numbewr-one quarterback Nick Starkel, to direct the offense. Making his second collegiate start and first at quarterback, Nash was a model of efficiency completing 15-of-18 passes for only 193 yards, but for three touchdowns.
Unlike a week ago at Western Michigan when Starkel faced a constant stream of pressure collapsing the passing pocket leading to eight sacks, Nash was not sacked in the game. His presence as a runner gaining 34 yards on five carries gave San Jose State an offensive dimension it had not explored since the USC loss when Nash was moved to wide receiver in an attempt to bolster the production in that area.
Nearly half of Nash's completions were to tight end Derrick Deese, Jr, who matched a single-game career high with seven catches and rumbled for a personal one-game best of 130 yards and a 12-yard touchdown play just before halftime. The Aggies didn't seem to have answer for Deese, Jr.'s routes through the game regardless of the play and the defensive coverage.
Nash's running was a complimentary element of a Spartan season-high 209 rushing yards. Senior Tyler Nevens led the way with 22 carries for 115 yards and the game's first touchdown on a 3-yard late in the first quarter. Kairee Robinson had just three carries, but his last one of the game was his most important weaving his way for a 39-yard run, the longest of the night. Following a five-yard penalty, Shamar Garrett made up for a third-quarter fumble with a 7-yard rush to paydirt for a 30-21 lead.
New Mexico State (1-6) had its sights set on winning its second game in three weeks, just like the Spartans. Quarterback Jonah Johnson threw for 300 yards and matched Nash with three touchdown passes. One big difference was a Nehemiah Shelton interception, San Jose State's first of the season and the Spartans capitalized immediately on the Nash to Deese, Jr., touchdown pass giving San Jose State its biggest lead of the game, 24-14, going into halftime.
Johnson gave the Spartan defense all it could handle either eluding the pass rush in the pocket or opening up his options with his legs. The two teams scored on five consecutive possessions in the second half. San Jose State's lead was as few as two points and up to nine after a 1-yard Nash pass into the flat to Robinson who easily beat his defender to the goal line area of the pass for a 37-28 lead.
With 5:49 remaining New Mexico State still believed it could score and win. Three consecutive Johnson pass completions and a 15-yard personal foul against the Spartans moved the ball to the San Jose State 14-yard line. The drive stalled at the Spartan 7-yard line. Needing two possessions and two scores to win the game, New Mexico State's Ethan Albertson kicked a 25-yard field goal.
San Jose State recovered the ensuing on-side kick and Nevens gained a first down on three carries for 12 yards to ensure the win in the team's last non-conference game of the regular season.
The Spartans return to Mountain West play on October 9 at Colorado State in a 12:30 p.m. (PT) conference game.