No way, San Jose
The Utah State offense led by Kevin Robinson’s three touchdowns got an early lead and let the defense hold on to win the Homecoming game against San Jose State 24-17 Saturday afternoon.
Robinson returned the second Spartan punt of the game 87 yards to put the Aggies up 7-0 and tie a school career record with three punt returns for touchdowns.
Near the start of the second quarter, Robinson got free on a post pattern and caught a 39-yard touchdown pass from Leon Jackson III to make the score 14-0, but the momentum didn’t last as the Spartans marched down the field in just three plays to make it a 14-7 game.
A minute before half, Robinson caught another touchdown pass for 27 yards to help the Ags take a 21-7 lead into the locker room. The catch was Robinson’s sixth touchdown reception of the season.
Along with Robinson, the defense came up with some big plays in the first half. Defensive tackle Brian Soi blocked a 43-yard field goal attempt, which could have put the Spartans within four points with two minutes left in the half.
“Our plan was to come out fast and get on them early,” Robinson said. “They had given up a lot of points in the first quarter and I give them all the credit. They battled back and I’m just glad we came out with a win.”
After allowing the Spartans to get back within a touchdown and letting them recover an onside kick with 1:14 left in the game, the Aggie defense held on to the win for Utah State.
The Spartans completed their first two passes for 19 yards to make it second down and three on the Aggie 29-yard line with 51 seconds left. Defensive end John Chick sacked Adam Tafralis for a loss of five yards, and without a timeout, San Jose lost 30 seconds before their next snap.
The next two passes fell incomplete as the Spartans tried to put the ball in the end zone on third and fourth downs.
In the final two minutes, the Aggies held the Spartans to five completions of their 15 pass attempts.
The second half wasn’t as explosive as the first since it started to drizzle, making the ball slippery and a little more difficult to handle.
“Somehow we held on in the second half and made about every mistake we can make,” Utah State Head Coach Brent Guy said.
On third and 23, Guy said Marquise Charles left his man when the quarterback scrambled and the wide open receiver caught a 61-yard touchdown pass to get San Jose State back within 10 with four minutes left in the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, punter Justin Hamblin couldn’t get a punt off after a bad snap went over his head and the Spartans got the ball on the Aggie 11-yard line. The defense held on three straight plays and the San Jose kicker missed a 27-yard field goal wide right.
The first conference win was big, Guy said. With the road game at Fresno State next week, the Ags will have to learn to play on the road and to play better than they did last time, he said.
-krn@cc.usu.edu
Utah States Bevan Howard, 97, and Terrance Washington attempt to bring down San Jose State´s Yonus Davis Saturday in Romney Stadium.
Utah State´s Brian Soi persues San Jose State quarterback Adam Trafralis.
Aggie Chris Forbes returns the ball while Kevin Robinson blocks Spartan Matt Castelo.