By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | Senior quarterback Walker Eget throws a pass in a loss against the Nevada Wolf Pack on Nov. 15 (Photo by Alex Stoev – Spear Photographer)
When it rains, it pours as the San Jose State Spartans get pummeled on the road by the University of Nevada Wolf Pack, 55-10.
“Outcoached us, outplayed us, beat us in every conceivable way,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said.
With bowl game hopes on the line and their backs against the wall, the Spartans came out flat, allowing 31 first-half points and offensively punting, fumbling, or throwing an interception on each of the first seven drives, resulting in zero first-half points.
Coming into this game, the Wolf Pack had one Mountain West win in 774 days, spanning two seasons since their last conference victory.
The back-breaking play, which gave Nevada momentum, happened on a fourth and four in the first quarter when senior quarterback Walker Eget attempted a late pass to sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero on a curl that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by junior linebacker Nakian Jackson. It was a slippery slope from there.
Eget is struggling at the wrong time, having five interceptions in the last two games, finishing with three on the day. Eget ended the day with just 74 passing yards, the lowest of his career.
“I had three interceptions, you can’t win a game when you turn the ball over three times,” Eget said. “San Jose took a shot on me so I got to give it my best.”
Coming into this week, the Wolf Pack was last in the conference in total offense today averaging 284 yards a game. The Spartans allowed 413.
Nevada’s dominance started with its run game, which had 218 yards on the ground. Senior running back Caleb Ramseur led the way with 128 yards and a touchdown.
True freshman quarterback Carter Jones managed today’s game like a vet, throwing for 195 passing yards and two touchdowns on an efficient 84 completion percentage.
The Wolf Pack also used senior quarterback Chubba Purdy as an offensive weapon, ending the game with 51 rushing yards and 18 receiving yards.
The Spartans got physically outmatched, struggling to protect the quarterback. The offensive line only allowed one sack, but there was pressure in the backfield all day. On the defensive side of the ball, the Spartans struggled to tackle and gave up yards after contact galore.
For the first time this season, SJSU’s dynamic pass game was held in check. Scudero, the nation’s leader in receiving yards, was held to just 29 yards. His partners in crime, juniors Leland Smith and Kyri Shoels, were held to a combined 58 yards.
Nevada had answers for SJSU’s deep and intermediate passing game, and SJSU showed its inability to use a short passing game.
“Things seemed to steamroll and we lost all of our confidence on offense, and we couldn’t get anything going,” Niumatalolo said.
The Wolf Pack took advantage of the Spartans’ turnovers, scoring 24 points on four of the five Spartans’ turnovers.
“We knew coming into the game, we had to take care of the ball, that’s always our mantra and we got into a hole early,” Niumatalolo said.
This loss continues SJSU’s drought at Mackay Stadium; the stadium has become a house of horrors, not winning in Reno since the 2000 season.
The Spartans will look to wipe this bitter taste out of their mouths as the team stays on the road to face the Mountain West top-ranked San Diego State Aztecs at 7:30 on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Snapdragon Stadium.
