By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
The Spartans (1-7, 0-4 MW) are losers of six straight after suffering a mental collapse against the Rainbow Warriors (3-4, 1-3 MW) en route to a 37-26 defeat in Honolulu.
San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan surprised everyone by choosing to start redshirt freshman quarterback Montel Aaron who hasn’t seen playing time since week four due to injury.
Aaron came out firing, completing 6/8 for 87 yards and a touchdown pass in the first half and had his team up 10 after the first quarter.True freshman running back Tyler Nevens also put on a show in the first 30 minutes, racking up 67 yards on double-digit touches on the ground and 31 yards receiving.
Two second-quarter touchdowns by the ‘Bows made it a 4-point game right before the half. But Aaron marched down the field using both his arm and legs, setting up kicker Bryce Crawford for a 52-yard FG as time expired. He nailed it.
The Rainbow Warriors extended the lead to 8 on their first drive of the third quarter, but the Spartans remained intact.
Solid third-quarter defense kept the Spartans within reach, and a fourth-down stop gave SJSU the ball back mid-quarter. In just two plays, Aaron connected with receiver Rashead Johnson for a 59-yard TD, putting the Spartans within one again.
Aaron finished the game 17/27 for 322 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception while Johnson had the game of his life with 278 all-purpose yards and 3 touchdowns.
After the Bows’ scored on another rushing touchdown early in the fourth, Johnson ran back a kickoff return for 96 yards, high-fiving teammate David Williams on his way to the end zone.
Unfortunately, the celebration didn’t stop there. Johnson posed for Williams, as he clicked an imaginary camera as part of his touchdown festivity.
SJSU was flagged for it, firing up Brennan on the sideline. Brennan’s next decision proved to be costly, as down just two, elected to not go for the 2-point conversion attempt and send Crawford out for the PAT.
It was blocked, scooped up, and returned for two Hawaii points, making it a 30-26 game giving the ball back to Dru Brown and his toy in Diocemy Saint Juste.
UH’s job was to milk the clock, and the Spartans had no answer for it. Saint Juste carried Hawaii downfield again, setting up running back Ryan Tuiasoa to a 3-yard TD. Saint Juste finished the night with 39 carries for 202 yards.
It’s the first game since November 4 of last season that Spartan linebacker Frank Ginda does not reach the 10-tackle mark. He had nine on Saturday. His season total is now at 115, which still leads the FBS.
The Spartans will have two weeks to prepare for BYU, as the bye week is next on the schedule, something Brennan says he’ll use to get his guys healthy and start on the recruiting process.