By Caleb Ramos — Reporter
Party like it’s 1982. San Jose State is 3-0 for the first time in 38 years.
The Spartans defeated San Diego State (2-1) 28-17 friday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.
SJSU suffered a major loss on its first drive after quarterback Nick Starkel exited the game with an injury. Sophomore quarterback Nick Nash stepped in for the job. Nash’s first four drives were unsuccessful, all resulting in three-and-outs.
“I think I was just trying to force things that weren’t there. The nerves got to me,” said Nash.
The Aztecs took a 10-0 lead with 8:53 remaining in the first quarter.
SJSU then woke up on both sides of the ball. Nash completed a 32-yard pass to senior wide receiver Tre Walker, who once again made a highlight of a catch. Senior tight end Derek Deese Jr. capped off the drive with a monster touchdown catch, cutting the lead to 10-7 at halftime.
“Once I got that first first down, that’s when we started rolling. That’s all she wrote really,” Nash said.
The second half of the game was a battle of turnovers. The Spartans stuffed the Aztecs on fourth down at SJSU’s own 20-yard line. SDSU’s senior safety Tariq Thompson then intercepted Nash at the Aztecs’ 23-yard line.
The momentum shifted back-and-forth between the teams.
The lead flipped in a span of five seconds of game time as the Spartans scored a touchdown at the 2:26 mark of the third quarter and the Aztecs responded with a touchdown of their own at the 2:19 mark of the third quarter, bringing their lead to 17-14.
Then came the defining sequence in the fourth quarter of the game for SJSU.
Sophomore safety Tre Jenkins forced sophomore Aztec quarterback Carson Baker to fumble the ball at the SDSU 17-yard line. Sophomore Spartan defensive end Viliami Fehoko recovered the ball and senior running back Tyler Nevens rushed in for a touchdown to give the Spartans a 21-17 lead.
SJSU’s sideline was pumped up with energy and they never looked back. Jenkins picked off Baker in the Aztecs’ end zone, Nash scored a rushing touchdown and the rest is history.
“This is such a big win for us,” said head coach Brett Brennan. “Three years ago this game against San Diego State was over at halftime. It’s an incredible deal for our guys.”
SJSU will look for another victory as it returns to CEFCU stadium to take on UNLV next Saturday at 6 p.m.
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