By Gio Gaxiola- Writer
The Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy is staying in San Jose, Ca.
The San Jose State (2-1, 1-0 MW) football got its first road win of the season with a 17-12 win on Saturday night over Hawaii (1-3, 0-1 MW).
The Spartans were able to secure the win thanks to senior linebacker Rico Tolefree, who’s fourth quarter turnover was the biggest play of the game. It set up junior kicker Matt Mercurio’s 26 yard game clinching field goal.
Graduate quarterback Nick Starkel completed 23 of his 50 passing attempts for 235 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
It was a pandemic out on the field for the Spartans offense on Saturday as they were plagued with dropped passes throughout the game. Including a couple that were wide open for touchdowns.
A big story of the game was senior running back Tyler Nevens. He was listed as the starter at the beginning of the game, yet he was not on the field at all. That left the running workload to junior running back Kairee Robinson. Who had 21 rushes for 55 yards.
SJSU would also have to endure the game without graduate tight end Derrick Deese Jr. Who had one catch for seven yards in the first quarter.
The Spartans defense was able to stay stout all game and pick up the slack as they had a good game as a unit. Hawaii sophomore quarterback Chevan Cordeiro only completed 18 of his 39 pass attempts for 242 yards. The unit also kept senior running back Calvin Turner to seven rushes for 16 yards and one touchdown.
The SJSU defense will also be without senior linebacker Kyle Harmon for the first quarter of next week’s game. Harmon was called for a questionable fourth quarter targeting penalty that ejected him for the game.
The player of the game for SJSU was graduate punter Will Hart. The transfer from the University of Michigan and Mountain West special teams player of the week in week 0 had 11 punts for 489 yards, averaging 44 yards each punt. Hart was a key player to the Spartans narrow win on Saturday night.
SJSU will go back on the road for an out of conference game at Western Michigan on Saturday. Kickoff is at 11 a.m.
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