By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | SJSU cornerback Caleb Presley pressures Stanford offensive line. (Photo by Denim Bragg – Spear photographer)
San Jose State lost 30-29 in heartbreaking fashion to Stanford in the Bill Walsh Legacy game.
This matchup included 1,005 yards of total offense. SJSU led in that category with 524 yards compared to Stanford’s 481 yards of total offense.
In a game that came down to the wire, SJSU senior kicker Denis Lynch went 3/5 on field goals, missing both field goals from 28 and 29 yards out.
“This is a hard one, I mean, our kids battled hard, but to come and lose this one, you know, we had every opportunity to win that game,” Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo said, “It’s disappointing, but we have resilient kids and we’ll find a way to bounce back.”
With 1:12 left on the clock and Stanford facing a crucial fourth-and-10 from their own 41-yard line, quarterback Ben Gulbranson delivered a strike down the seam to wide receiver Caden High for a 34-yard gain, moving the ball to the Spartans’ 25-yard line.
With two timeouts left, Coach Niumatalolo opted not to call a timeout with 1:12 left on the play clock.
After the game, when asked about it, Coach Niumatalolo said, “ I came very close to using it (timeout).”
Stanford got two completions, and junior running back Sedrick Irvin rushed in for the game-winning touchdown.
Despite the loss, senior quarterback Walker Eget had a career high in passing yards and passing attempts, throwing for 473 yards on 58 attempts.
Eget’s performance led to three SJSU wide receivers having outstanding performances with junior wide receiver Kyri Shoels led the way with 10 catches for 147 receiving yards.
Sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero had his third 100+ yard receiving game of the season, having 11 catches for 135 receiving yards. And junior Leland Smith had his best game as a Spartan, earning 101 receiving yards on six catches.
“We know that we’re (offense) dangerous, you know it’s just being able to be consistent every single drive is something that we strive for.” Said Eget after the loss.
Gulbranson also had a great showing, having 29 completions for 444 passing yards.
Stanford wide receiver CJ Williams had 12 receptions for 138 receiving yards, making timely plays. Williams was complemented by Caden High, who had five catches for 110 yards.
Both teams’ run games were held in check. The Spartans had 51 yards compared to Cardinal 37 rushing yards.
The Spartans only had one rushing attempt in the first half, but that didn’t limit the offense from having 260 receiving yards in the first half.
SJSU took an early 10-7 lead after a third-down strip sack by senior linebacker Taniela Latu.
The Spartans had a season high of four sacks in the first half, they finished the game with that amount.
SJSU’s secondary seemed to struggle down the stretch of the second half, giving up back-breaking plays deep.
Running back Jabari Bates went down late with 4:57 left in the fourth quarter. After the game, Coach Niumatalolo alluded to the fact that they were waiting for results from doctors.
SJSU will have to lick their wounds quickly, as they have a short week facing the 3-1 New Mexico Lobos next Friday at 7 p.m. at CEFCU Stadium.
