San Jose State snaps 13-game road losing streak

Originally posted by the San Jose Mercury News Oct. 1, 2011.

By Brian Howell
Correspondent

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Breaking a 13-game losing streak last week was a relief for San Jose State.

After winning their second in a row Saturday, the Spartans must feel as if they can do anything.

“We’re going to fly the plane back ourselves, I think,” SJSU coach Mike MacIntyre quipped.

Matt Faulkner threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jabari Carr with 54 seconds to play, lifting SJSU to a 38-31 win over Colorado State at Hughes Stadium. The win snapped the Spartans’ 16-game road losing streak. It also gave them consecutive wins for the first time since October 2008.

“It is huge for our program,” MacIntyre said. “Last week was huge. This week is huge. We’re taking steps in the right way. We broke the dam down, we’re driving the boat now, and we’re seeing some success.”

The win nearly slipped through the fingers of the Spartans (2-3), though.

They led 24-7 in the first half and took a 31-17 lead late in the third quarter. That lead completely evaporated, however, after Colorado State quarterback Pete Thomas scored on a 9-yard run to tie the game at 31 with 11:33 to play.

At that point, it sure seemed as if SJSU was doomed. Two big turnovers led directly to CSU touchdowns. Starting cornerback Brandon Driver went out with a likely season-ending Achilles injury in the first half. And senior star running back Brandon Rutley left midway through the third quarter with an ankle injury that cut short another great day.

“I think it crosses people’s minds,” Faulkner said of the here-we-go-again feelings. “You’re just like, ‘Gosh, we can’t let this happen. We can’t let another game like this get away from us.’ “Then, eight plays after CSU (3-2) tied the game, Faulkner was sacked, fumbled and lost the ball. CSU took over at the Spartans 45.

“That was a real good chance for them to end the game,” Faulkner said.

The Spartans defense rose to the occasion, however, forcing the Rams to punt. After SJSU had to punt, the Rams had another opportunity, at the Spartans 34. Again, the defense stepped up and forced CSU to try a 48-yard field goal, which sailed wide left with 3:30 to go.

“That was the whole difference in the game,” MacIntyre said of the two defensive stops. “After they missed that field goal, I honestly didn’t think they would stop us.”

The Rams didn’t. Filling in for Rutley, who gained 131 yards, Jason Simpson got 16 key yards on four rushes and then Faulkner connected with Carr for the game-winning score.

“I just thought to myself, ‘Just put it out there and he’ll go get it,’ ” said Faulkner, who threw for a career-best 313 yards and two touchdowns. “He ran a great route. It’s an awesome feeling. Almost indescribable.”

CSU had one last chance, but Ronnie Yell intercepted a Thomas pass to seal the win.

“Games like this in the past we would lose because we hadn’t won one; they didn’t feel like they could do it,” MacIntyre said. “Now they know they can. I just think that confidence level is there.”

Facing another trip this week — to Brigham Young — the Spartans hope the momentum can continue.

“This is one of those wins that I think can define a season, get us going in the right direction,” said tight end Ryan Otten, who had 112 receiving yards and a touchdown. “Especially the way we won it.”

  • Rutley has 340 rushing yards in the past two games. Those are the only two 100-yard games of his career. Although he walked out of the stadium on crutches, he called the injury a “minor” one. “It’s disappointing, but it happens,” he said. “I’ll be back next week, ready to rock.” His return is considered day-to-day.
  • Aside from Rutley, SJSU had 6 yards on 16 rushing attempts.
  • MacIntyre said Driver is likely done for the season, and Driver didn’t seem any more optimistic than that. “It’s definitely devastating,” he said.
  • Starting left guard Fred Koloto left with a sprained knee. His return also is considered day-to-day. Cornerback Peyton Thompson, who missed last week’s game with an elbow injury, started against Colorado State. He left briefly after tweaking his arm, but came back.
  • For the first time this season, backup quarterback Dasmen Stewart did not play. SJSU had used two quarterbacks in each of the first four games.
  • In addition to the road losing streak, SJSU snapped a streak of 18 straight road losses to nonconference foes.
  • In the first half, SJSU safety Duke Ihenacho became the first Spartan to return a fumble for a touchdown since Tony Ficklin did it Nov. 20, 2004.
  • Taking advantage of the high altitude, Harrison Waid had three punts of at least 60 yards, including a career-best of 72 yards. It’s the second time in school history a Spartan has had three punts more than 60 yards in one game.
  • Before Saturday, Colorado State was one of two teams in the country (also Stanford) that hadn’t allowed a first-quarter point. The Spartans scored 10 first quarter points.
  • CSU came into the weekend leading the country with 16 sacks. The Rams got three Saturday.
  • The Spartans scored 30-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time since 2008.