A stripped fumble on a two-point attempt was the decisive play in San Jose State’s wild 54-52 double-overtime loss to Washington State on Friday night in Pullman, Wash.
After interceptions by both teams in the first overtime period, the two sides exchanged touchdowns in the second, with Washington State scoring the first one and then converting a two-point try.
The Spartans responded with a TD but failed to complete their two-point conversion attempt as quarterback Emmett Brown, a transfer from Washington State, was sacked by his former college roommate, edge rusher Quinn Roff, who powered around the offensive line for the clinching play.
Roff forced the ball out and his teammates pounced on it, ending one of the wildest games of the college season.
“For my roommate to make the play at the end on me, obviously it’s bittersweet,” Brown said.
Both offenses combined for 1,118 yards and the 106 points, not exactly what Spartans linebacker Jordan Cobbs expected.
“These games are kind of fun,” Cobbs said. “That environment, that crowd was ridiculous.”
SJSU coach Ken Niumatalolo, who suffered his first loss with his new school after opening the season with three victories, mentioned postgame how the Spartans entered the night as 13-point underdogs.
“Nobody gave us a chance,” he said.
Here are the takeaways from an incredible night in the Palouse:
SO CLOSE TO VICTORY
Washington State kicker Dean Janikowski (49) kicks a game tying field goal to send the game to overtime during the second half of an NCAA college football game against San Jose State, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
On fourth-and-10 from the Washington State 20, Brown rolled to his left and found wide receiver Treyshun Hurry in the back of the end zone for a touchdown that gave the Spartans the lead with 26 seconds to go.
A pass to Nick Nash on the two-point play stretched the advantage to three.
But Washington State’s John Mateer simply was too good all game long as the Cougars improved to 4-0.
On a night in which the quarterback passed for 390 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 111 yards and another touchdown, he was at his best in the closing seconds of regulation. He led the Cougars on a desperation drive to set up Dean Janikowski’s 52-yard field goal as time expired.
“The hard part was No. 10,” Niumatalolo said of Mateer. “I’ve been doing this a long time. We had a hard time balling that guy up.”
Mateer’s play reminded Cobbs of his former San Jose State teammate, Chevan Cordeiro.
“I remember I played versus (Cordeiro) and had him on our team a few times and it’s very, very similar where they can throw but if that option is not there they can definitely run,” Cobbs said.
Mateer’s improvisation broke down what SJSU was trying to do.
“You could do everything right, you could be in the right spot and a player like that, with his legs, can just make something out of nothing,” Cobbs said.
A Washington State cheerleader is carried as players and fans celebrate on the field after the team’s 54-52 win in an NCAA college football game against San Jose State, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
RUN GAME RISES UP
San Jose State running back Floyd Chalk IV had his best game of the season, scoring two touchdowns on 94 yards rushing. His highlight came in the first quarter when he ran for a season-best 66 yards on the Spartans’ second offensive play.
SJSU averaged 58.3 yards rushing per game coming into the night.
“We just knew we had to get it going,” Niumatalolo said about the run game. “With Nick (Nash), you know people are trying to devise coverages to take him away.”
Brown had high praise for both Chalk and the offensive line.
“(Chalk) did a really good job of being confident going downhill, he surprised me a couple times, he took off on those runs,” Brown said. “Through these couple of games, he’s kind of just had some short yardage runs.”
Brown said his offensive line was physical and successfully pushed the line of scrimmage.
SPECIAL TEAMS SHOWS AGGRESSIVENESS
San Jose State had some gutsy special teams plays early. Asked about them postgame, Niumatalolo said, “We were coming to win.”
In the first quarter, after scoring their first touchdown, the Spartans went for a surprise on-side kick. Freshman kicker Mathias Brown, who normally doesn’t handle kickoff responsibilities, set up SJSU with another offensive possession.
SJSU also faked a punt on fourth-and-two, with a direct snap to linebacker Jordan Pollard.
Keeping the ball out of Mateer’s hands was the main reason for the calls, according to Niumatalolo.
“We were going to be aggressive, but not reckless,” the coach said. “These are all calculated things.”
Special teams coordinator Joe Palcic devised the plays, Niumatalolo said.
NASH STILL ON TEAR, BUT OTHERS CONTRIBUTE
Nash found himself with the best receiving statline for the Spartans for the fourth consecutive week.
He finished with 152 yards on 16 receptions and two touchdowns.
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He caught three passes for 68 yards on the first drive of the second half, highlighted by a 43-yard reception and a 19-yard touchdown after only 3 receptions for 20 yards in the first half.
“Even though (TreyShun Hurry) kind of stole that last one from me, it was awesome to see,” Nash said, referring to Hurry’s TD reception in the final minute that gave the Spartans a brief lead.
Hurry finished with 66 yards on three receptions and the one TD. Justin Lockhart contributed 74 yards on four receptions.
UP NEXT
After the gut-wrenching defeat, SJSU will now have a chance to regroup. The Spartans have a bye next week before playing host to Nevada on Oct. 5.
“Emotionally and physically our kids are drained right now, so we gotta rest,” Niumatalolo said. “We’re beat up and it couldn’t come at a better time for us.”