The heartbreaking losses preserve piling up for San Jose State.
Friday night time, the Spartans rallied from an eight-point deficit to take a 25-24 lead early within the fourth quarter at Utah State and even after falling behind had the ball at midfield on two drives within the last minutes, however couldn’t full the comeback in a 30-25 loss.
It was the fourth one rating lack of the season for San Jose State (2-5, 1-2 Mountain West).
“All of our losses have been like this,” head coach Ken Niumatalolo mentioned. “Gut wrenching, heart ripping losses.”
San Jose State’s Walker Eget drops again to cross through the Spartans’ loss 30-25 loss at Utah State on Friday night time. Picture courtesy of San Jose State.
The Spartans didn’t arrive in Logan, Utah, in optimum place with each NCAA-leading receiver Danny Scudero and quarterback Walker Eget questionable to play due to accidents. Eget put up some strong numbers, finishing 27 of 49 passes for 340 yards and two landing passes. However Scudero, who got here into the sport main the nation with 50 receptions, 845 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, was held to 6 catches for 25 yards and required medial consideration a number of occasions through the loss.
San Jose State was projected to complete third within the Mountain West convention. However now the Spartans must go 4-1 of their last 5 video games to develop into bowl eligible for an unprecedented fourth straight season. And issues don’t get so much simpler. Three of San Jose State’s last 5 opponents are presently high 5 within the Mountain West: Hawaii (5-2, 2-1), San Diego State (5-1, 2-0) and Fresno State (5-2, 2-1).
San Jose State has a bye this week earlier than returning to motion Nov. 1 towards Hawaii at CEFCU Stadium
Listed here are the largest takeaways from the loss at Utah State.
ANOTHER ONE GETS AWAY
Friday was the third time up to now 4 video games the Spartans misplaced regardless of main sooner or later within the fourth quarter. They have been up by 12 within the fourth quarter of the 30-29 loss at Stanford and couldn’t shield a 14-point fourth quarter lead final week in a 35-28 loss at Wyoming.
Towards the Aggies, the Spartans led 25-24 till the Aggies (4-3, 2-1 MW) kicked a 45-yard area purpose with 6:09 remaining. However they nonetheless had their probabilities.
On their penultimate drive the Spartans stalled on the SJSU 47 when working again Steve Chavez-Soto was stuffed on a fourth-and-1. After one other Aggies area purpose made it 30-25, the Spartans obtained the ball again with 1:47 remaining. Regardless of three false begin penalties on the drive the Spartans obtained as shut because the Aggies 37-yard line earlier than a desperation throw from Eget on fourth-and-two was batted down ultimately zone as time expired.
“Our guys are hurting, you can’t not hurt after a loss like this,” Niumatalolo mentioned. “We go into the bye week first and foremost to try and get healthy physically. Then we have to get ready to strap it on again against a good Hawaii team.”
Hawaii is exceeding preseason expectations. The Warriors have been picked to complete seventh within the Mountain West and are off to a 5-2 begin. Regardless of the robust schedule forward, the Spartans play Hawaii and Fresno State at dwelling. Underneath Niumatalolo the Spartans are 7-3 at CEFCU Stadium.
The Spartans even have historical past on their aspect: in 2023 they began the season 1-5, however gained six consecutive video games to earn a spot within the Hawaii Bowl.
RUNNING GAME AND LELAND SMITH STEP UP
Getting into the sport each Eget and Scudero have been listed as questionable on the Mountain West Availability Report. However they each performed by way of their accidents.
Scudero absorbed some huge hits, requiring medical consideration on three separate events.
“(Scudero) might be one of the toughest kids I’ve been around,” Niumatalolo mentioned. “(Eget and Scudero) didn’t practice all week but those guys came and battled and gave it everything they had.”
San Jose State’s Lamar Radcliffe rushed for 74 yards and had a 15-yard landing reception within the Spartans’ 30-25 loss Friday night time at Utah State. Picture courtesy of San Jose State.
Different components of the Spartans offense stepped up with Scudero lower than one hundred pc.
Chavez-Soto set a career-high on 102 speeding yards, together with a 66-yard landing run. He has stepped up rather than Floyd Chalk IV (redshirting) and Jabari Bates (season-ending harm) to stamp his spot rotating with Lamar Radcliffe within the Spartans’ backfield.
Radcliffe additionally had an enormous sport with a career-high 74 yards on 13 carries.
“They’re just absolute tanks,” Eget mentioned. “Those guys really sacrifice everything for the team.”
Leland Smith set a career-high with 116 receiving yards and snagged a 45-yard landing. However as soon as once more Smith discovered himself making an incredible catch that didn’t rely. Within the opener towards Texas, Smith caught a ball towards a defender’s helmet, however was dominated out of bounds when he fell to the bottom. Towards the Aggies, Smith caught a ball ultimately zone in tight contested protection, but it surely was dominated his toe hit the road ultimately zone.
“It’s pretty upsetting that the refs missed another one of his catches but you can’t put a lot of blame there,” Eget mentioned. “But it really sucks when a lot of calls don’t go your way, especially when it comes to these close games.”
DEFENSIVE BREAK DOWNS
San Jose State had a season excessive 534 whole yards of offense. The Spartans at the moment are 0-2 when the offense goes over 500 yards of whole offense (SJSU had 524 whole yards in a 30-29 loss to Stanford.)
The protection has struggled closing out video games and giving up too many huge chunk performs.
A defensive breakdown allowed for a 30-yard cross conversion on a fourth-and-4, which led to the Aggies scoring on 2-yard finish round as an alternative of the Spartans leaving the sphere. Within the third quarter, a blown-coverage led to a 74-yard receiving landing from former Spartan Anthony Garcia.
“It was just some communication stuff and missed assignments,” Niumatalolo mentioned. “We are able to’t hand over these explosive performs.
Initially Printed: October 18, 2025 at 9:06 AM PDT
