By Jose Trujillo — Editor
It doesn’t take much to get Utah State on a roll.
A muffed punt on the Aggies’ (9-1, 6-0 MW) opening possession returned 41 yards for a San Jose State touchdown was enough to spark the No. 14 team in the nation to a 62-24 blowout-win over the Spartans (1-9, 1-5 MW).
The special teams blunder energized the Aggies as they would go on to score on 11 of their next 15 possessions.
SJSU had trouble stopping Utah States’ high-powered, up-tempo, quick-strike offense that averages over 50 points per game. And it was no different on Saturday as the Aggies surpassed their average in just a little over three quarters.
It was a tough mismatch for the Spartans defensive line.USU plays as such a fast level that it was near impossible for the the coaching staff to make the necessary substitutions. After every whistle, the Aggies offensive line hustled to the line of scrimmage to run the next play.
Led by sophomore quarterback Jordan Love, USU has scored 21 touchdowns in under one minute. The only other school to accomplish that statistics is Alabama, which tells you just how explosive this Aggies team is.
And by the second quarter, it was visible that USU’s quick tempo had taken its toll on the Spartan defense. The running lanes were bigger, they had a hard time shedding blocks and could not wrap up tackles on several crucial scoring plays.
The offense also had a hard time getting anything going, on the ground or through the air. Utah State was creating different looks and executing blitz packages, sending pressure from all different angles that the offensive line couldn’t pick up. Josh Love was hit hard and often throughout.
After leading 7-0 in the first quarter, the Spartans faced a 38-10 deficit at halftime with Utah State receiving the ball to open the third quarter.
If SJSU head coach Brent Brennan spoke at halftime, he may want to never use that speech again.
Just two plays into the second half, USU running back Darwin Thompson broke free for a 59-yard touchdown run to make it 45-10.
Nail in the coffin. Game over.
For Utah State, Jordan Love continued his stellar season. He played a flawless game, torching the SJSU defense, going 32-42 for 491 yards and five touchdowns.
Thompson also had a career game. The Tulsa, Okla native burned the Spartans in almost every way possible. He finished with 255 total yards of scrimmage and three touchdowns; 140 yards coming on the ground with two TD’s alongside 115 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Utah State finished the day with 804 yards of total offense which is the most given up by the SJSU defense this season.
The Spartan offense did put up yardage but most of it coming late with the game out of reach.
Wide receiver Tre Walker hauled in seven receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first 200-yard receiving game and multiple touchdown performance of his career. Walker keeps proving he is a deep-ball threat for the Spartans.
Josh Love completed 18-36 passes for 210 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Mission Viejo product could not get into a rhythm. He was harassed all game, and had very little time to get the ball out of his hands.
The Utah State defense forced Josh Love to beat them through the air, and with very little going in the running departament, they feasted on the opportunity to keep the pressure on him.
Utah State proved to be too much of a mismatch for San Jose State. Their athleticism, depth and explosiveness created opportunities and advantages that SJSU ultimately couldn’t overcome.
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