By Felix Oliveros — Staff Writer
The sound of a cannon at Michie Stadium seemed like it was coming from the arm of Josh Love and the San Jose State offense as it couldn’t be silenced in a 34-29 win at Army West Point.
After dropping its game against San Diego State last week, SJSU (4-4, 1-3 MW) bounced back with Love leading the attack.
The fifth-year senior quarterback was slinging the ball all over the field completing 20 of his 31 pass attempts for 314 yards and three touchdowns.
His favorite target was junior receiver Tre Walker, who also rebounded from last week. Walker had six catches for 94 yards.
On the first play from scrimmage, Walker became just the 29th Spartan in school history to catch 100 career passes.
Freshman Isaiah Hamilton also contributed to the air attack with 88 yards on just three receptions, all in the first quarter.
Both squads scored on their first possessions in the first quarter.
In the second frame, redshirt freshman placekicker Matt Mercurio converted on the first on his four field goals, giving SJSU a 10-7 advantage.
Love marched down the field on the team’s next drive and hit true freshman running back Kairee Robinson on an 18-yard wheel route, putting the Spartans up 17-7.
The two teams traded field goals and went into the break at 23-10.
Momentum seemed like it could switch in favor of Army (3-5) in the second half, as they capped off a 75-yard opening drive with a touchdown.
That, paired with a short Spartan drought, made it look like Army was ready for a comeback.
But then senior wideout Bailey Gaither came to the rescue.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Love threw the ball to the back of the end zone where Gaither and an Army defender battled for the ball.
Gaither juggled the ball and caught it with both his knees inbounds. A successful two-point conversion gave SJSU a two-touchdown cushion.
Third-string quarterback Christian Anderson led the Black Knights in the fourth quarter and made it 31-23 late.
Love fed senior running back DeJon Packer late and the Spartans stomped into field goal range quick.
Mercurio has now made 10 straight field goals and finished the game 4-for-4.
A late Anderson rushing score made it 34-29 and that was the way it remained.
While the score indicated this game was a close one, the defense held its own as well.
Ethan Aguayo, who has been absent since Sept. 27 at Air Force made his return and made his presence known.
Senior linebacker Jesse Osuna led the defense with 15 tackles, but was ejected in the fourth quarter after a targeting call. He will miss the first half of next week’s game against No. 22 Boise State.
It was the fifth time this season the Spartan offense eclipsed 30 points. They are now 4-1 in those contests.
It was a rematch of last year’s embarrassing 52-3 blowout loss at Levi’s Stadium between the two teams. The Spartans certainly got revenge.
SJSU is now just two games away from becoming bowl eligible.
The Spartans will shift their focus to No. 22 Boise State next week at home.
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