By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | SJSU wide receiver Danny Scudero celebrates in a matchup against Stanford on Sept. 27. (Photo by Denim Bragg – Spear photographer)
The San Jose State Spartans (2-4, 1-1 MW) lost 35-28 to the University of Wyoming Cowboys (3-3, 1-1 MW) after a 14-point lead melted away in the final minutes.
Wyoming’s running backs sealed the comeback. Freshman Samuel Harris caught a screen pass with blockers in front and tiptoed down the sideline for a 52-yard gain.
On the next set of downs, the Spartans were one stop away from forcing a field goal on third and 10, but junior running back Terron Kellman broke multiple tackles on a 28-yard run up the middle for the game-winning touchdown.
Sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero, the nation’s leader in receiving yards, started his work early. He ended the first half having six receptions for 151 yards and four touchdowns.
Scudero’s four touchdowns were an SJSU record for most receiving touchdowns in a game. The sophomore also finished with 10 receptions for 180 yards.
“He’s a playmaker, we’ve talked about it this whole time… he’s someone who with the ball in his hands creates magic,” SJSU senior quarterback Walker Eget said.
With nine minutes left in the third quarter, Eget went down with an injury on what appeared to be his throwing arm on a strip sack fumble. Eget was unable to return until there were three minutes left in the 4th quarter in a tie game.
“We’ll see how Walker is for next week. If he goes down guys have to step up,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said.
The play that turned the tide for the Cowboys down 28-14, happened with 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter on third down.
Backup senior quarterback Xavier Ward threw a pass that hit a lineman. The ball floated loose at the line of scrimmage and Wyoming senior linebacker Brayden Johnson caught the ball returning it 65 yards for a touchdown.
Wyoming’s offense tied the game up after a drive aided by two SJSU personal fouls, setting the team up in a good position.
Cowboys sophomore quarterback Kaden Anderson took advantage, finding junior Charlie Coenen after he ran behind SJSU’s secondary for a 45-yard touchdown. This was Coenens’ only catch on the day.
Anderson finished with 304 passing yards for two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Spartans defense was able to stand strong at multiple points throughout the game. From the beginning of the second quarter to the middle of the fourth quarter, the unit didn’t allow a point.
This stretch included a third quarter interception from senior Jalen Bainer and an interception at the beginning of the fourth quarter from Taniela Latu. SJSU’s front seven was active, pressuring Anderson throughout the game.
Both teams had electric special team plays in the first half. The Cowboys took advantage of the Spartans special teams when freshman wide receiver Deion Deblanc returned a 73-yard punt for a touchdown.
The Spartans made their mark in the second quarter when junior Jahari Johnson had a 98-yard kickoff return, which was capped off by Scudero’s fourth touchdown. SJSU also had a chance to capitalize on a Wyoming muffed punt on the Cowboys’ 10-yard line, but failed due to an Eget strip sack.
SJSU’s offense didn’t score a second-half point.
“I think the biggest thing we need to do all around as a team is just be able to finish offensively. I know there’s some struggles we had at the beginning of the second half… I think we just need to be able to finish better as a team,” Eget said.
Eget closed the game with 295 passing yards and four touchdowns. In relief, Ward went 3 of 10, throwing for just 15 yards. Freshman quarterback Tama Amisone also had an opportunity, going 5 of 8, throwing for 30 yards. Amisone made an impact, scrambling out of the pocket at times.
SJSU’s running game stalled out, having a combined 19 carries and 61 rushing yards from the duo of sophomore Lamar Radcliffe and freshman Steve Chavez-Soto.
Besides Scudero, the SJSU offense struggled to maintain the level of production from its receivers that Spartans fans have become accustomed to. Juniors Matthew Coleman and Leland Smith had around 40 yards each. Senior Jackson Canaan had 32 yards, and junior Kyri Shoels had 24 yards.
SJSU sophomore kicker Mathias Brown attempted his first field goal of his career, going 0 of 2, missing from 53 and 47 yards out.
SJSU will look to wipe this bitter taste out of their mouth as they head to Logan, Utah, to take on the Utah State Aggies next Friday at 6 p.m. at Maverik Stadium.
