By Niles Hall (@n23hall) Spear Reporter | Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo looks over the field on Aug. 29 vs. Central Michigan. (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar – The Spear)
The San Jose State Spartans (0-2) were outmatched on the road, falling 38-7 to the No. 7-ranked Texas Longhorns (1-1).
Things fell apart early for the Spartans as Texas capitalized on three straight SJSU turnovers in Spartans territory. The Longhorns scored four touchdowns in five minutes. It was 28-0.
The Longhorns first score of the stretch came when Junior quarterback Arch Manning connected with freshman Parker Livingstone for an 83-yard bomb, which looked to be a SJSU bust in coverage.
The turnover woes began with a Walker Eget interception. Followed by back-to-back fumbles forced by the Longhorns, the fumbles were by SJSU running backs senior Floyd Chalk and sophomore Lamar Radcliffe.
SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said, “We had those turnovers in bunches, it just killed us… It’s not like they needed help; they’re a good football team. Giving them a short field was not ideal.”
The Spartans showed some fight, putting their first points on the board after a dominant Texas stretch. Going on an eight-play, five-minute drive.
This drive included four receptions for 58 receiving yards from junior wide receiver Kyri Shoels. The possession was then capped off with a four-yard touchdown run from running back Jabari Bates.
After an Arch Manning interception, SJSU had a chance to cut into Texas’s lead. The Spartans were able to advance the ball to Texas’s 32-yard line. SJSU ended the half, attempting a 50-yard field goal, which was wide left.
SJSU’s kicker, Denis Lynch, was 0/2 on field goals in the first half. Lynch struggled in the Spartans’ week one matchup, where he was 0/2, missing two potentially game-winning kicks.
The interception came inside the Spartans’ 10-yard line after senior safety Isiah Revis hit Manning on a throw to freshman tight end Jordan Washington. The pass fell short, and senior safety Jalen Apalit-Williams picked it off, returning it 41 yards.
Despite the turnovers, the Spartans had momentum breaking 3rd downs, going 4/15 on the day.
One of the biggest plays came on third and seven in the first half when Eget launched a 37-yard deep ball to junior Leland Smith, who made a spectacular one-handed grab pinned against the defender’s helmet. After review, it was ruled incomplete as Smith had a hand out of bounds
Manning struggled to catch his rhythm early, but capitalized on the Spartans’ turnovers and mishaps in coverage, which helped him settle into the game.
Manning finished the game going 19/30 on passing attempts, throwing for 295 passing yards and throwing four touchdowns with one interception.
SJSU quarterback Walker Eget had an average performance, going 21/42 on passing attempts, throwing for 188 passing yards and one interception.
The Spartans’ defense started the game strong, holding the Longhorns offense to a three-and-out followed by another short drive.
Texas extended its lead in the second half with 10 more points, highlighted by a 21-yard touchdown run from Arch Manning, who evaded multiple Spartan tacklers on his way to the end zone.
Texas freshman wide receiver Parker Livingstone had an outstanding game, having four receptions for 128 receiving yards. Livingstone consistently made back-breaking plays for the Spartans.
SJSU wide receiver Kyri Shoels led the way for the Spartans with eight receptions for 73 yards.
The Spartans struggled offensively in the second half, having just 95 yards of total offense and three punts with two turnovers on downs.
“We didn’t do anything in the second half”, Niumatalolo said. “That was probably the most disappointing thing offensively.”
Despite the fumbles, SJSU’s run game found its rhythm; the running backs ran for a combined 99 rushing yards on 24 attempts.
Head coach Niumatalolo was proud of the way his team fought, saying, “We didn’t quit, we could have let them score at the end, but our guys kept battling… We have kids with great resolve and great grit.”
The Spartans head into the bye week looking for answers from their 0-2 start. SJSU will face Idaho on Sept. 20 at CEFCU Stadium.
