The heartbreaking losses keep piling up for San Jose State.
Friday night, the Spartans rallied from an eight-point deficit to take a 25-24 lead early in the fourth quarter at Utah State and even after falling behind had the ball at midfield on two drives in the final minutes, but could not complete the comeback in a 30-25 loss.
It was the fourth one score loss of the season for San Jose State (2-5, 1-2 Mountain West).
“All of our losses have been like this,” head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “Gut wrenching, heart ripping losses.”
San Jose State’s Walker Eget drops back to pass during the Spartans’ loss 30-25 loss at Utah State on Friday night. Photo courtesy of San Jose State.
The Spartans didn’t arrive in Logan, Utah, in optimal position with both NCAA-leading receiver Danny Scudero and quarterback Walker Eget questionable to play because of injuries. Eget put up some solid numbers, completing 27 of 49 passes for 340 yards and two touchdown passes. But Scudero, who came into the game leading the country with 50 receptions, 845 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, was held to six catches for 25 yards and required medial attention multiple times during the loss.
San Jose State was projected to finish third in the Mountain West conference. But now the Spartans need to go 4-1 in their final five games to become bowl eligible for an unprecedented fourth straight season. And things don’t get a lot easier. Three of San Jose State’s final five opponents are currently top five in the Mountain West: Hawaii (5-2, 2-1), San Diego State (5-1, 2-0) and Fresno State (5-2, 2-1).
San Jose State has a bye this week before returning to action Nov. 1 against Hawaii at CEFCU Stadium
Here are the biggest takeaways from the loss at Utah State.
ANOTHER ONE GETS AWAY
Friday was the third time in the past four games the Spartans lost despite leading at some point in the fourth quarter. They were up by 12 in the fourth quarter of the 30-29 loss at Stanford and could not protect a 14-point fourth quarter lead last week in a 35-28 loss at Wyoming.
Against the Aggies, the Spartans led 25-24 until the Aggies (4-3, 2-1 MW) kicked a 45-yard field goal with 6:09 remaining. But they still had their chances.
On their penultimate drive the Spartans stalled at the SJSU 47 when running back Steve Chavez-Soto was stuffed on a fourth-and-1. After another Aggies field goal made it 30-25, the Spartans got the ball back with 1:47 remaining. Despite three false start penalties on the drive the Spartans got as close as the Aggies 37-yard line before a desperation throw from Eget on fourth-and-two was batted down in the end zone as time expired.
“Our guys are hurting, you can’t not hurt after a loss like this,” Niumatalolo said. “We go into the bye week first and foremost to try and get healthy physically. Then we have to get ready to strap it on again against a good Hawaii team.”
Hawaii is exceeding preseason expectations. The Warriors were picked to finish seventh in the Mountain West and are off to a 5-2 start. Despite the tough schedule ahead, the Spartans play Hawaii and Fresno State at home. Under Niumatalolo the Spartans are 7-3 at CEFCU Stadium.
The Spartans also have history on their side: in 2023 they started the season 1-5, but won six consecutive games to earn a spot in the Hawaii Bowl.
RUNNING GAME AND LELAND SMITH STEP UP
Entering the game both Eget and Scudero were listed as questionable on the Mountain West Availability Report. But they both played through their injuries.
Scudero absorbed some big hits, requiring medical attention on three separate occasions.
“(Scudero) might be one of the toughest kids I’ve been around,” Niumatalolo said. “(Eget and Scudero) didn’t practice all week but those guys came and battled and gave it everything they had.”
San Jose State’s Lamar Radcliffe rushed for 74 yards and had a 15-yard touchdown reception in the Spartans’ 30-25 loss Friday night at Utah State. Photo courtesy of San Jose State.
Other elements of the Spartans offense stepped up with Scudero less than 100 percent.
Chavez-Soto set a career-high on 102 rushing yards, including a 66-yard touchdown run. He has stepped up in place of Floyd Chalk IV (redshirting) and Jabari Bates (season-ending injury) to stamp his spot rotating with Lamar Radcliffe in the Spartans’ backfield.
Radcliffe also had a big game with a career-high 74 yards on 13 carries.
“They’re just absolute tanks,” Eget said. “Those guys really sacrifice everything for the team.”
Leland Smith set a career-high with 116 receiving yards and snagged a 45-yard touchdown. But once again Smith found himself making an amazing catch that didn’t count. In the opener against Texas, Smith caught a ball against a defender’s helmet, but was ruled out of bounds when he fell to the ground. Against the Aggies, Smith caught a ball in the end zone in tight contested coverage, but it was ruled his toe hit the line in the end zone.
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“It’s pretty upsetting that the refs missed another one of his catches but you can’t put a lot of blame there,” Eget said. “But it really sucks when a lot of calls don’t go your way, especially when it comes to these close games.”
DEFENSIVE BREAK DOWNS
San Jose State had a season high 534 total yards of offense. The Spartans are now 0-2 when the offense goes over 500 yards of total offense (SJSU had 524 total yards in a 30-29 loss to Stanford.)
The defense has struggled closing out games and giving up too many big chunk plays.
A defensive breakdown allowed for a 30-yard pass conversion on a fourth-and-4, which led to the Aggies scoring on 2-yard end around instead of the Spartans leaving the field. In the third quarter, a blown-coverage led to a 74-yard receiving touchdown from former Spartan Anthony Garcia.
“It was just some communication stuff and missed assignments,” Niumatalolo said. “We can’t give up those explosive plays.