San Jose State had the ball on Central Michigan’s 15-yard line trailing by two points with 1:13 left Friday night. Denis Lynch lined up for his first field-goal attempt of the season.

His wobbly kick missed wide right.

San Jose State went on to lose the season opener as Central Michigan held on for a 16-14 victory at CEFCU Stadium.

But it was not all doom and gloom for SJSU.

It was a homecoming to remember for the San Jose native Danny Scudero.

Scudero, an Archbishop Mitty graduate, finished with nine catches for 189 yards, which included a 45-yard touchdown reception in his first game as a Spartan after spending the past two seasons at Sacramento State.

The newcomer quickly looked like quarterback Walker Eget’s favorite target.

On SJSU’s first series of the night, Eget hit Scudero for a 46-yard gain. But after reaching the 2-yard line, Eget rolled to his left, ran into the referee and then threw an interception to cornerback Brenden Deasfernandes.

On the Spartans’ second drive, Eget had the ball stripped loose while being sacked by defensive end Michael Heldman. Central Michigan had rushed only three defenders on the play.

Two drives. Two turnovers.

On the fourth drive, Eget threw his second interception.

Central Michigan had two interceptions the entire 2024 season.

San Jose State’s defense held the Chippewas to two fields on a short field to keep the deficit at 13-0.

Central Michigan kept the ball on the ground in the first half, attempting four passes between their quarterback rotation of Joe Labas and Anthony Flores while running 30 times.

On the Chippewas’ second drive, Tulane transfer Trey Cornist broke two tackles and scored on a 29-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0. Cornist had 92 rushing yards in the first half alone and would finish the game with 99 yards.

Nahree Biggins led Central Michigan with 102 rushing yards.

Now SJSU will prepare to face Arch Manning, the nephew of former NFL Super Bowl champion quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, and No. 1 Texas next week in Austin.

The last time the Spartans faced No. 1-ranked team was in 2010, when they lost to Alabama 48-3.