Strong defensive performances and big offensive plays led the Spartans to a 32-21 win against conference rival New Mexico at CEFCU Stadium, Friday.
San Jose State forced six turnovers on defense and senior quarterback Josh Love threw for a season-high 405 yards.
The win marks the first time SJSU has had a winning record through five games since 2012. With the victory, the Spartans improved to 3-2 on the season.
With only one offensive turnover, the Spartans now lead the entire NCAA in turnover margin at plus-11.
“I think it means that we’re on the right track towards doing the job we wanted to in the turnover margin,” head coach Brent Brennan said. “We have to continue to emphasize the things in the practice environment and in the meeting room that’s given us a chance to get off to a good start in turnover margin.”
SJSU did not register a sack on the night, but got pressure on the quarterback when it was needed the most.
With 3 minutes and 58 seconds left in the game, Lobos senior quarterback Sheriron Jones was facing a crucial 3rd and 10.
The Spartans only rushed three on the play, but sophomore defensive lineman Cade Hall and freshman defensive end Viliami Fehoko collapsed the pocket and forced an errant pass that was intercepted by sophomore linebacker Rico Tolefree.
“You started to see him get some of that push, and we’ve been waiting for that from [Fehoko],” Brennan said. “We were getting good pocket collapse from the D-line late in that game.”
The interception from Tolefree was the final of a season-high six turnovers caused by the SJSU defense.
“Turnovers have been the single-most harped on aspect of our game this year,” Tolefree said. “We’ve been preaching from the start [that] we want to be top 25 in turnover margin.”
Along with his interception, Tolefree also forced and recovered a fumble earlier in the game while the Lobos were deep in Spartan territory.
Senior cornerback Brandon Ezell had a productive night in the secondary, undercutting and intercepting two throws by Jones, one of which was in the end zone, preventing a possible score.
The defense was able to accomplish this without the aid of their leading tackler, senior linebacker Ethan Aguayo, who was out with an injury.
During his weekly press conference, Brennan said that he appreciated Aguayo being available to help his teammates on the sideline.
“When he’s not available, it’s great to have him involved [and] talking to the linebackers,” Brennan said. “Having his stability [and] having his voice, that consistency is really helpful with those guys.”
On the offensive side of the ball, the Spartans jumped out to a 26-0 lead thanks to numerous chunk plays through the air.
Quarterback Love and senior wide receiver Bailey Gaither connected in the second quarter for an 80-yard touchdown, the longest play from scrimmage of the season for the Spartans.
326 of Love’s 405 passing yards came in the first half, the most he’s had in a first half of his career.
His favorite target in the game was junior wide receiver Tre Walker, who corralled seven of his 12 targets for 130 yards.
“[Walker] is just a hell of a player . . . but I think the whole group of receivers are making plays, not just him,” Love said.
Despite the big yardage numbers, the Spartans struggled at times in the red zone, scoring two touchdowns in seven red zone trips.
The kicking game was strong, however, as freshman kicker Matt Mercurio tied a school record with four field goals.
Early in the fourth quarter, a 44-yard attempt was originally blocked, but a false start nullified the play and moved the kick back to 49 yards. He sailed the kick down the middle of the uprights, good for a new career long.
“They were coming off the edge really fast so I had to speed my process up a little bit and do what I could to just get it through the uprights,” Mercurio said.
Head coach Brennan said he was excited for his team.
“Those kids are in the locker room and they get to smile tonight,” Brennan said. “Everyone’s dancing in there and they get to feel great because they had an incredible week of practice and they earned this win.”
The Spartans will head back on the road Saturday to take on 3-2 conference foe Nevada.
