By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | Quarterback Walker Eget takes the snap against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Nov.1 (Photo by Alexis Corona-Aguilar – Spear Photographer)
The San Jose State Spartans light up the scoreboard in a high-scoring 45-38 shootout versus the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
Sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero continues to raise his standards, setting a career-high with 215 receiving yards and finding the end zone twice.
“The win is all that matters. You can have the best game of your life, but if you don’t win it doesn’t feel as good, so winning this one and putting up some good numbers the win is all that matters,” Scudero said.
Down 31-14 at halftime, the Rainbow Warriors rallied to mount a comeback, pulling the game within arm’s reach. The Spartans, up 38-35 with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, found themselves in a predicament they know all too well. SJSU has four one-score losses this season.
With the Spartans’ backs against the wall, senior quarterback Walker Eget found junior wide receiver Leland Smith for a 42-yard gain, followed by a 19-yard catch by junior wide receiver Kyri Shoels.
Freshman running back Steve Chavez-Soto capped the drive off running over a Rainbow Warrior defender for his third touchdown of the evening. The Spartans had snatched back momentum.
Eget had a career night, throwing for 458 yards and two touchdowns, the fourth-highest passing total in college football this season. He also extended his streak of consecutive passes without an interception to 268 attempts, the third-longest in Mountain West history.
“We expected a dog fight, especially in the fourth quarter. It’s hard to win football games and just being able to stay on the attack… that’s the biggest point of emphasis, just being able to finish,” Eget said.
This matchup included the Mountain West’s top two passing offenses and did not disappoint, putting up a combined 1099 yards of offense.
The Spartans’ receivers posted a unique stat line, as Smith, Shoels and Scudero each recorded more than 100 receiving yards. It was the second time this trio reached that mark this season; the last time an SJSU trio did this was against Fresno State on Nov. 29, 2013.
With a minute and a half left in the first quarter, the Spartans defense stopped the Rainbow Warriors momentum after going up 7-0. Senior linebacker Jordan Pollard forced a fumble on Hawaii senior running back Landon Sims.
SJSU’s offense rewarded the defense’s effort by going on a 47-yard touchdown drive, which included a 37-yard catch from Scudero and was capped off with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Chavez-Soto.
From that point on, the Spartans’ offense was rolling, scoring on the next four drives ending the half with 420 yards of offense, and a commanding 31-14 lead.
“When they get a turnover, that’s such a big momentum swing, we just gotta be able to take advantage of it,” Eget said. “ When you get the momentum, you gotta steal it and gotta take it”
The Spartans’ secondary continued to struggle, giving up 401 passing yards and three touchdowns to freshman quarterback Micah Alejado. He also had a 60 percent completion percentage.
Hawaii sophomore receiver Jackson Harris had 134 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was a clutch 20-yard touchdown that cut SJSU’s lead to three in the fourth quarter. Junior Pofele Ashlock stayed busy, having seven catches for 104 yards.
The Spartans’ offensive line won the battle in the trenches holding the Rainbow Warriors sackless as they lead the Mountain West in sacks this season.
SJSU running backs, sophomore Lamar Radcliffe and Chavez-Soto, had a huge role Saturday night. Radcliffe had 70 rushing yards for a touchdown, and Chavez-Soto ran for 53 yards and three touchdowns. Eget had an impact on the ground, rushing for 25 yards on timely occasions.
A silver lining Saturday night, SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo beat his alma mater.
“I’m usually rooting for my alma mater, but today I wanted to beat the crap out of those guys,” Niumatalolo said.
After a much-needed win, the Spartans will return to CEFCU Stadium in a delayed homecoming matchup versus the Air Force Academy on Nov. 8 at 3 p.m.
