Defense and special teams keeps Aggies close in a rainy first half

A Kevin Robinson kick return for a touchdown was the lone Aggies’ touchdown as they head into halftime trailing San Jose State University 13-16. Robinson’s 82-yard return came after a SJSU field goal made it 9-0 Spartans. With 13:26 left in the second quarter, Robinson broke free down the sideline, put a move on SJSU kicker Jared Strubeck and outran everyone to the end zone. The return game was big for the Aggies, as they racked up 265 return yards – 194 of them coming on kickoffs. Utah State’s defense also made a big play in the second half, when saftey Roy Hurst picked an Adam Tafralis pass that was thrown between two SJSU receivers. The pick set up a 37-yard field goal from freshman placekicker Peter Caldwell, which brought Utah State to within three at 16-13. The field goal was Caldwell’s second of the game – he connected on a 22-yarder that was set up by a 50-yard kick return by senior Aaron Lesue. There were other opportunities for USU to put points on the board. After a 53-yard punt return by Robinson, the Aggies had the ball on the SJSU 35. Instead of capitalizing on the good field position, quarterback Leon Jackson III threw into a crowd of Spartan defenders and was picked by SJSU linebacker Matt Castelo. The Aggies were also outgained 295 to 94 by the Spartans, who put together a few long drives in the half.