San José State football took the field on homecoming and earned its second-consecutive win in its 42-21 blowout against Utah State University at CEFCU Stadium on Saturday.
The Spartans (3-5, 2-2 MWC) snapped a 10 game-losing streak against the Aggies (3-5, 1-3 MWC) making it their first win against them since 2008.
“This was a really great win for our team,” SJSU head coach Brent Brennan said. “It was a big-time battle. I’m so proud of how our team played. It just shows our character, how hard we work. This (Utah State team) has given us fits for a decade and a half.”
Utah State came in ranked as the 15th best total offense and the 16th in scoring offense (37.7 ppg) in the nation, but the Spartan’s reliable defensive line bottle capped Utah State’s rushing game.
SJSU came into the match with the 17th best turnover margin in the country and 3rd best in the Mountain West.
Sophomore linebacker Jordan Pollard was the game’s most outstanding defender for SJSU, tallying 10 total tackles and seven solo tackles and with an interception.
The Spartans’ first drive ended in a rushing touchdown from junior running back Quali Conley without a single third down.
Conley said SJSU’s defensive coordinators have been telling them that playmakers need to step up.
“It was pretty simple what (Utah State) was doing,” said Conley. “I think we really had to just lock in and finish those plays. It was really just us missing plays in the first half. From a defensive perspective, I think we need to come out and do what we do in the second half.”
Conley finished the game with 79-rushing yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns.
Defensively, SJSU has been able to lean on players like Bryun Parham and Tre Jenkins.
Their performance on defense, limiting Utah State’s offense that averages 477.9 yards per game to a total of 264 yards.
Parham, who totaled 60 tackles and Jenkins, who amounted to 41 tackles were the anchors defensively.
Between them, they tallied two sacks, but prior to this game, no interceptions.
“All those times we lost in the second half (of games), we just pretty much changed our mindset,” Chevan Cordeiro said. “To win a football game in Division I, we need to play all four quarters.”
The Aggies responded with another touchdown, this time with a 25-yard bomb from freshman quarterback McCae Hillstead to junior wide receiver Micah Davis to tie the game 14-14 with 3:38 remaining in the first half.
In the second half, the Spartans, led by Cordeiro came out strong and seamlessly weaved past the Utah State defense.
Cordeiro advanced for a gain of 13 yards by himself, setting up junior running back Quali Conley for an eight-yard rushing touchdown. This play was massive for SJSU as it brought them back in focus offensively to put the Spartans up 21-14.
The SJSU defense picked up from there, forcing Utah State to turn over on downs at the 5:19 in the third quarter.
“We knew, as an offense, that we had to score in the second half,” Cordeiro said. “We just had to keep the drives going. I think we’re finding ourselves as an offense and defense.”
Cordeiro threaded the needle to senior linebacker Charles Rogers, who reported eligible for a play, for a 10-yard touchdown to put SJSU up 28-14 with 2:06 remaining before the final quarter. This was Roger’s first career touchdown with the Spartans.
for a 10-yard touchdown to put SJSU up 28-14 with 2:06 remaining before the final quarter. This was Roger’s first career touchdown with the Spartans.
“The crowd was going crazy,” Cordeiro said. “(Roger’s) a hard-worker and he deserves it. I’m glad he got the touchdown.”
Kairee Robinson rushed for the final touchdown of the night for the Spartans, for a total of 18 yards on their final drive, putting the Spartans up 42-21.
“He’s a baller,” Cordeiro said about Robinson. “I’ve known that ever since I’ve been here at San José State. All you need to do is keep feeding him the ball and he’s going to get positive yards. He’s my guy. He’s always there for me. Through the ups and downs, he’s helped me a lot.”
Cordeiro will face his former school as SJSU is scheduled to take the field against the University of Hawai’i at Manoa at 9:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
