SAN JOSE, Calif.----- San Jose State was the second team this season to lead Utah State by 14 points when it jumped out to a 14-0 second quarter lead.
That lead built on a Kenyon Reed 58-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 1-yard Tyler Nevens run was short-lived and wiped out by the time Spartans reached the locker room at halftime in a 48-17 loss to the Aggies.
Utah State (8-2, 5-1 Mountain West) played its best defensive game of the season limiting San Jose State (5-6, 3-4 Mountain West) to 150 yards of total offense for its season-long fifth consecutive win. While the Spartan defense scored its first touchdown of the season and set up the second score when Viliami Fehoko forced a Utah State fumble by quarterback Logan Bonner that was recovered by Cade Hall, the offense was unable to sustain its possessions converting just 1-of-12 third down plays and finishing with a season-low 12 rushing yards.
Both Nick Starkel and Nick Nash saw action at quarterback and faced relentless pressure the entire night. Starkel completed 19-of-29 with an interception for 138 yards. Nash was 0-of-3.
Utah State went into halftime with a 24-14 lead thanks to its highest scoring quarter of the season. Bonner threw two of his four touchdowns in the second quarter – a 2-yard toss to Scavon Scarver and a 4-yard pass to Derek Wright that tied the score at 14-14. The Aggies took the lead for good on Elelyon Noa's 3-yard run with 5:54 to go in the second quarter. Connor Coles' 32-yard field goal on the final play of the half capped the scoring outburst.
Bonner finished 20-of-33 with the interception for 263 yards and his third four-touchdown passing game of the season. Five of his completions went to Deven Thompkins, who finished with 127 receiving yards and padded his national lead in receiving yardage. Shutout in the first quarter, his pass receptions of 43 yards in the second quarter and 53 in the third quarter flipped the field against the Spartans and led to touchdowns.
By the game's end, San Jose State lost two fumbles and had the one interception. Utah State capitalized on the Spartan mistakes turning them into 14 points effectively negating San Jose State's fast start.
The Spartans have a bye the weekend of November 20 and close out the regular season hosting Fresno State on Thursday, November 25, in a 12:30 p.m. game in CEFCU Stadium.