UPDATE: In a devastating turn of events, the San Jose State Spartans suffered a 30-25 loss to Utah State on Friday night, marking another heartbreaking defeat in their season. This loss pushes their record to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the Mountain West Conference.
The Spartans fought back from an eight-point deficit to lead 25-24 early in the fourth quarter, but could not secure the win. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo described the season’s losses as “gut-wrenching” and “heart ripping.”
This defeat is particularly concerning as it represents the fourth close loss of the season for San Jose State. The team has now lost three of the last four games despite leading at some point in the fourth quarter.
In a challenging situation, both NCAA-leading receiver Danny Scudero and quarterback Walker Eget were questionable due to injuries. Eget completed 27 of 49 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns, but Scudero—who entered the game with 50 receptions, 845 yards, and eight touchdowns—was limited to just six catches for 25 yards.
San Jose State will now face an uphill battle to become bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive season, needing to win 4 of their final 5 games. Their upcoming schedule includes tough matchups against top Mountain West teams like Hawaii and Fresno State.
The Spartans will take a much-needed bye week before returning to action on November 1 against Hawaii at CEFCU Stadium.
KEY MOMENTS: The Spartans were ahead 25-24 until Utah State kicked a 45-yard field goal with just over six minutes left in the game. Despite having opportunities, the Spartans stalled on several drives, including a critical fourth-and-1 stop at their own 47-yard line. They had a final chance with 1:47 remaining but could not convert on a fourth-and-two.
“Our guys are hurting, you can’t not hurt after a loss like this,” Niumatalolo said. “We go into the bye week first and foremost to try and get healthy physically.”
The Spartans’ running game showed promise with Steve Chavez-Soto rushing for 102 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown run. Lamar Radcliffe added 74 rushing yards and a touchdown reception, showcasing depth in the offense despite injuries to key players.
Leland Smith also made an impact, setting a career-high with 116 receiving yards and scoring a touchdown, though a critical catch was ruled out of bounds in another tough call against the Spartans.
Defensively, San Jose State struggled to close out the game, allowing the Aggies to convert on key plays, including a 30-yard pass conversion on fourth-and-four. Niumatalolo emphasized the need for improvement in communication and execution as they prepare for the challenging weeks ahead.
As the Spartans regroup during their bye week, the pressing question remains: can they overcome the string of heart-wrenching losses and turn their season around against formidable opponents? Fans are eager to see if the Spartans can rise to the occasion when they face Hawaii in just over a week.
