SAN JOSE — Three turnovers doomed San Jose State’s probabilities in opposition to Air Drive on Saturday, resulting in a 26-16 loss at CEFCU Stadium, the Spartans’ third loss of their final 4 video games.
When Air Drive quarterback Liam Szarka threw a 12-yard landing to huge receiver Quin Smith to realize a 23-13 lead with 9:11 left within the fourth quarter, the sport was starting to look out of attain.
Air Drive’s Jaylin Reese (45) intercepts a go supposed for San Jose State’s Leland Smith (1) within the second quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
On the following drive, a area objective by Spartans kicker Denis Lynch introduced San Jose State inside one rating with 5:43 left within the sport. It might be as shut because the Spartans (3-6, 2-3 in Mountain West) would get.
Air Drive (3-6, 2-4 MW) put the sport away on its closing drive. The Falcons drove methodically down the sector consuming up the sport clock, capping it off with a 33-yard area objective with 31 seconds remaining to make it 26-16 and successfully ending SJSU’s hopes.
Air Drive gained the time of possession battle 35:51 to 23:34, permitting the Falcons to notch simply their second win of their final eight video games.
After solely scoring six factors within the first half, Spartans operating again Steve Chavez-Soto scored on an 8-yard landing run and kicker Mathias Brown had a 29-yard area objective as SJSU pulled inside 16-13 at first of the fourth quarter.
However finally, it was a primary half crammed with self-inflicted errors that made the deficit an excessive amount of to beat.
San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget (5) is attended by medical personnel after sustaining an harm whereas taking part in Air Drive within the first quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Eget would return later to play. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
With San Jose State pinned at its personal 2 within the closing two minutes of the opening half, quarterback Walker Eget’s go was deflected by the Air Drive line of defense. Eget then batted it within the air and operating again Lamar Radcliffe caught it in the long run zone, the place he was taken down for a security making it 16-3 Air Drive.
With 8:43 to go within the first quarter, Eget went down with an harm after a 12-yard scramble for a primary down. Eget left the sport and was changed by Xavier Ward, who fumbled on a learn choice play giving the ball to Air Drive.
When Eget returned to the sport, he threw two consecutive interceptions on the following two drives. The second interception got here when SJSU opted to go for a fourth and 5 at its personal 22 yard-line.
Eget completed the sport 27-for-42 passing for 334 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Air Drive utilized its triple choice offense to take advantage of the clock and maintain SJSU’s explosive offense off the sector. The Falcons’ ball dominance included a 15-play, 81-yard drive that took 8:37 off the sport clock. The lengthy drive was capped off with a 3-yard scoring run by Szarka, making the Ward fumble pricey. Szarka punched in a quarterback sneak and took a 14-3 lead, capitalizing on each turnovers.
San Jose State had a troublesome time coping with the Falcons’ operating sport as Air Drive rolled up 261 yards dashing. The Falcons’ Owen Allen ran for a game-high 109 yards on 20 carries, whereas Szarka gained 87 yards on 25 makes an attempt, together with the 2 TD runs.
After a two-game homestand, SJSU shall be again on the highway subsequent Saturday to face Nevada (1-7, 0-4 MW), the present last-place crew within the Mountain West. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
Air Drive quarterback Liam Szarka (9) is all smiles after scoring a landing in opposition to San Jose State within the second quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
Air Drive’s Levi Brown (9) intercepts a go thrown by San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget (5) within the second quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
San Jose State’s Matthew Coleman (14) makes a catch whereas taking part in in opposition to Air Drive within the second quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
San Jose State shade guard members salute earlier than the beginning of their sport in opposition to Air Drive at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
San Jose State’s Danny Scudero (10) fails to catch a go whereas being guarded by Air Drive’s Max Mustell (36) within the fourth quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Air Drive defeated San Jose State 26-16. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
San Jose State’s Leland Smith (1) fails to catch a go whereas being guarded by Air Drive’s Levi Brown (9) within the fourth quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Air Drive defeated San Jose State 26-16. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
San Jose State kicker Mathias Brown (99) kicks a 24-yard area objective in opposition to Air Drive within the third quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Air Drive defeated San Jose State 26-16. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
San Jose State’s Steve Chavez-Soto (15) is stopped from getting a primary down whereas taking part in Air Drive within the fourth quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Air Drive defeated San Jose State 26-16. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget (5) throws a go whereas taking part in Air Drive within the fourth quarter of their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Air Drive defeated San Jose State 26-16. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
San Jose State head coach Ken Niumatalolo shakes palms with Air Drive head coach Troy Calhoun after their sport at San Jose State College in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Air Drive defeated San Jose State 26-16. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
