RENO, Nev.-----The coldest playing conditions of the season weren't a distraction. Identifying viable replacements for players who could not continue was a challenge. Watching San Jose State University players like quarterback Nick Starkel, center Kyle Hoppe and running back Tyler Nevens return to action and spark a second half comeback was heartwarming and bore promise for the rest of the season.
But for the second time in the last three years, it was Nevada placekicker Brandon Talton coming through with a game-winning field goal with under 0:05 remaining in the game as the Wolf Pack stopped the Spartans' modest two-game winning streak with a 27-24 Mountain West victory.
Talton split the uprights with a 45-yard field goal into the wind and the open side of the field at Mackay Stadium – the same direction he kicked a 40-yard game winner at the horn in 2019 as Nevada (7-2, 4-1 Mountain West) eked out a 41-38 win.
San Jose State's bid to win in Reno for the first time in 10 tries since a 49-30 victory in 2000 and go two games over the .500 mark for the first time in 2021 started with a marvelous defensive performance that resembled the one against San Diego State. Nevada's 27 points were far below its 37.6 average prior to kickoff.
The Spartans limited the explosive Wolf Pack offense to only one play of more than 20 yards, but the 43-yard pass from Carson Strong to Melquan Stovall was a big one on Nevada's final touchdown drive of the game for a momentary 24-17 lead with 5:26 remaining.
San Jose State (5-5, 2-2 Mountain West) was explosive in all three phases of the game, but needed more to come out on top. There were first half pass interceptions by linebacker Jordan Cobbs and cornerback Nehemiah Shelton, but the Spartans did not net any points from their good fortune.
Nevada took advantage of two pass interceptions and a fumble recovery linebacker Daiyan Henley returned 56-yards for the first points of the game. Brendale Robins' 86-yard interception of a Nick Nash pass for six points in the third quarter put the Wolf Pack, 14-7.
Nick Starkel returned to action at the start of the Spartans' third offensive possession of the game and a possession later after a short Nevada punt into the wind directed a four-play, 45-yard drive concluding with a 5-yard pass in the right flat to running back Tyler Nevens to tie the score at 7-7. Nevens would punish the Wolf Pack for 116 rushing yards on 14 carries and return to the game even after he was seen grimacing in pain on the Spartan sideline.
Starkel would split the quarterback duties with his roommate Nick Nash until late in the third quarter when Starkel manned the position the rest of the way. He finished completing 21-of-40 passes with an interception for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Nash was 4-for-9 with the interception returned for a touchdown and just 33 yards.
It seemed the Wolf Pack was ready for Nash's whirling dervish plays from the quarterback position. He ran just four times for 21 yards ending back-to-back 100-yard rushing games in wins over UNLV and Wyoming.
Viliami Fehoko's block of a Talton 52-yard field goal try sent the teams into halftime tied, 7-7.
In the second half, Starkel connected with wide receiver Malikhi Miller on a 48-yard touchdown pass play that two Nevada defensive backs got tangled up leaving Miller wide open for business and his first major college touchdown to close the deficit to 17-14.
A Matt Mercurio field goal from 34 yards tied the score at 17-17 with 5:34 remaining. Like Talton, Mercurio was unable to connect on his two first half tries, both from 45 yards.
A Starkel to Derrick Deese, Jr., 2-yard pass play on 4th down tied the score again at 24-24 with 1:47 to go in regulation time. That was enough for Nevada and Carson Strong to move 47 yards on 11 plays prior to Talton's game winning field goal.
Strong didn't have his strongest game completing 36-of-54 with two interceptions for 314 yards in the face off constant harassment and pressure.
San Jose State concludes the regular season with home games against Utah State on November 13 and Fresno State on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25. Tickets are available at www.sjsuspartans.com/tickets.
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