By Jenski Nonnarath – Spear Reporter | The Spartans huddle during game against Fresno State on Saturday, Sept. 19 at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Photo by Marilyn-Bride Anye – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State football lost 26-10 to Fresno State in the Battle for the Valley on Saturday night at CEFCU Stadium.
Senior quarterback Luke Weaver threw 4 interceptions in a game where the offense was only able to score 1 touchdown, which came during the fourth quarter.
The Spartans’ only touchdown of the game was on a RPO play in the red zone on fourth down. True freshman wide receiver Carson Clark was in motion as Weaver faked the handoff to junior running back Viliami Teu. This froze the linebacker off the edge due to the handoff threat, and Weaver threw it to Clark in the flats.
Weaver threw his fourth pick that would end all hopes of a comeback. Weaver was able to escape from pressure and tried to find Clark on the left but was picked off by Fresno State senior cornerback Simeon Harris.
“It’s just bad decisions by me. Bad football’s in bad spots. A couple of careless decisions and also just leaving balls where other guys can get it,” Weaver said. “I got to make it so my guys can make a play on the ball and I didn’t do that tonight.”
The Spartans’ offense had its worst game moving the ball this season, with a season-low 335 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Spartans’ offense had 5 penalties in the first half and only two in the second half. One of the flags in the first half was a costly illegal formation penalty that took away a rushing touchdown by junior running back Jabari Bates.
Bates was untouched going up the middle on what would have been a 66-yard touchdown run.
“We were just missed misaligned and just things that cannot happen,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “takes off seven points, that kills us”
Senior wide receiver Anthony Ivey was a bright spot of the offense, having 7 catches for 150 receiving yards.
“He just keeps doing his job, keeps doing his thing. He makes some big plays for us tonight,” Weaver said.
Bates had 94 rushing yards and averaged 4.9 yards a carry. For the second time this season he did not have 100 plus yards rushing.
“Even when they did load the box up, Jamari was able to get some good runs. I think Jamari had another good game, probably one of the most consistent guys on offense this whole season,” Niumatalolo said.
The Spartans’ defense was bending but not breaking all game, only giving up 2 touchdowns, one of them coming in garbage time and the other coming on a short field due to a 68-yard punt return by Fresno State sophomore wide receiver Jordan Malau’ulu.
Later on the drive, junior quarterback Jayden Mandal threw a touchdown to the right side on a double move to senior wide receiver Josiah Freeman, who went up to get it over junior cornerback Jayden Robertson for the touchdown.
“Our defense played lights out today,” Niumatalolo said.
The Spartans will play Hawaii after their bye week on the road at 9 p.m. on Oct. 3 at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawaii.
