Notebook: Inside the game

Kevin Robinson did it all for the Aggies in Saturday’s 24-17 win over San Jose State. He led the team in receptions – along with Tony Pennyman – with five, 91 receiving yards, 46 rushing yards, 105 return yards, total yards with 242 and three touchdowns.

Robinson said it was the first time in his life he scored three touchdowns in one game.

Robinson tied the school record for punt-return touchdowns with three on his 87-yard return in the first quarter.

“I don’t think about it during the game, but it was a goal of mine at the beginning of the season to break the school record,” he said.

Robinson now shares that record with John Strycula and Bob Wicks, who each returned three punts for touchdowns in 1969-71.

Third downs

After allowing Idaho to convert 10 of its 15 third downs on Oct. 1, the USU defense held SJSU to four of 18 on the critical down.

“We needed that after last week,” Head Coach Brent Guy said. “We did a better job of making them throw before the sticks. Those are the things you need to do to win games.”

The sad part for the Spartans is that their 22-percent conversion rate against the Aggies is actually 4 percent better than their season average of 18.

USU finished seven of 18 on third down.

Soi back in

Despite sitting out a couple days of practice last week with a strain in his AC joint [shoulder], Brian Soi came up big for USU’s defense and special teams.

He finished with two tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal.

Soi downplayed his block.

“I just got lower than the guy,” he said.

Soi said even though he was hurt, there was no doubt he would be playing Saturday.

“[The injury] feels a lot better than it did before,” he said. “I knew I’d play.”

On fire

A grease fire broke out in the new concessions stand on the south concourse during the game. There was no damage to the facility, but the fire department had to be called.

The sprinkler system went off, but the small blaze had to be put out with a fire extinguisher, which caused the stand to be closed for the remainder of the game.

By the numbers:

12,542 – Total attendance

3,300 – Students at the game

18 – Points scored by Kevin Robinson

17 – Point lead for USU in the third quarter, it’s biggest lead of the season

-bhhinton@cc.usu.edu