GAME BOOK (PDF) | BRENNAN POSTGAME | CORDEIRO POSTGAME | COOKS POSTGAME | COBBS POSTGAME
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Chevan Cordeiro ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, while Elijah Cooks had six receptions with 123 yards to lead San José State (1-0, 0-0 Mountain West) to a 21-17 victory over Portland State (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky) in front of the biggest home opening crowd in over a decade. Jordan Cobbs would come up with a key interception in the fourth quarter leading to a short field and the game-winning drive finished with a Cordeiro game-winning touchdown. Cobbs would add eight tackles, including three solo tackles to his stat line. Kyle Harmon led the Spartan defense with 11 tackles overall.
- The attendance was 16,291, the highest for a home opening game since September 17, 2011
- Cordeiro passed for 239 yard and added 58 more yards by way of the ground
- Kairee Robinson opened the season with a nine-yard run and ended the night with 85 total yards
- Cordeiro scrambled for 32 yards on third down for a touchdown to open up scoring for the Spartans in the first quarter
- The Spartans defense forced a three-and-out on two of the first three Vikings possessions
- SJSU closed the first quarter with a 35-yard pass from Cordeiro to Jermaine Braddock
- A 26-yard screen pass to Robinson put San José State knocking on the door before a wide-open Sam Olson in the flat gave the Spartans a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter
- Kenyon Reed intercepted the ball at the San José State nine-yard line for the first Spartan forced turnover of the year
- The Spartans closed the half on a goal line stand, stuffing the runner inches from a touchdown as time expired
- Travis Benham pinned the Vikings inside the one-yard line with a stellar punt late in the third quarter
- A muffed punt return by Portland State gave SJSU a short field, starting a drive from the 29-yard line
- Cobbs picked off the Vikings pass at the Portland State 23-yard line late in the fourth quarter
- Cooks received 30% of the targets from Cordeiro
- Benham pinned the Vikings inside the 20 yard line three times
- San José State did not hurt themselves as they were only penalized three times whereas Portland State was penalized seven times
- SJSU turned over the Vikings three times (two interceptions, one fumble) while not surrendering a single turnover
- The Spartans are 45-54-7 in season-opening games. San Jose State has wins in its last four season openers for the first time since 1976
Next Game:
The Spartans head to Auburn to face the Tigers on Sept. 10 at 4:30 p.m. (PT) on ESPNU and KTRB 860 AM.
Next Home Game:
SJSU hosts Western Michigan at 7:30 p.m. (PT) on Sept. 24 and tickets can be found here.
Click here to build your One Spartan Nation membership with season tickets.
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