San Jose State at New Mexico Recap: Spartans Overwhelm Lobos
San Jose State at New Mexico Recap: Spartans Overwhelm Lobos
Spartans trail at halftime, respond with 38 unanswered points
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Kairee Robinson leads Spartans with three rushing touchdowns, four total
Sometimes a game like football swings with momentum, and both teams can realize *here* is where the game went in favor of one team or the other. Others, like this game between the Spartans and Lobos, need a couple of quarters to realize one team has it figured out versus the other.
To begin the game, both teams exchanged punts, then the Lobos got an early field goal, and San Jose State missed a field goal. On the next drive for New Mexico, the Spartans blocked a punt and took it back to the end zone for a 7-3 lead.
Things seemed to settle in from there as both offenses scored touchdowns, as Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored twice – including once on a wildcat trick play – and Kairee Robinson scored once on a 35-yard run, updating the score to 17-14, in favor of the Lobos.
To start the second half, San Jose State took the ball and quarterback Chevan Cordeiro hit Kairee Robinson in the flat for a 55-yard score, leading to a 21-17 score the Spartans would surrender again.
The teams then exchanged punts and penalties – 26 penalties in total for both teams – before Cordeiro hit Nick Nash for a 54-yard strike to extend the San Jose State lead to 28-17. From there, New Mexico went three-and-out on a couple of drives and the Spartans added a field goal, to further their lead to 31-17.
To close out the third quarter, Kairee Robinson scored his third touchdown of the day, on a 19-yard touchdown run through a visibly depleted Lobos defense, and the lead continued for the Spartans, now 38-17.
Opening the 4th quarter, Spartans running back Quali Conley featured a 60-yard pass which set up Kairee Robinson’s fourth touchdown of the day, on a four-yard run up the middle. The score now ballooned up to 45-17.
On their ensuing drive, the Spartans again featured Quali Conley with a 68-yard run, down to the 14-yard line. This time, Conley found the end zone and extended the lead to 52-17.
The Lobos scored a late touchdown, primarily with backups, but by now the damage was done on the scoreboard, with the final score 52-24.
Keys to the Game:
Whatever Head Coach Brent Brennan discussed with the Spartans at halftime, the team seems to have responded with a resounding roar. To put together a performance like San Jose State did, on the road, to take control of this game in the second half, had to leave New Mexico with a sense of wondering what happened and where did it all go wrong.
Final Thoughts:
San Jose State showed a true comeback spirit when, trailing at halftime, came out to dominate the second half, outscoring New Mexico 38-7. The Spartans continued to pour it on against a New Mexico squad that looked tired, specifically on defense. The Lobos can still salvage their season, but it’s going to take a lot to get back in the win column this year.
Much has been written and said about the caliber of the Spartans’ non-conference schedule earlier this year, but if the team can rally around this year and refocus on a “one game at a time” mentality, this San Jose State squad looks like they can rally for a bowl invite before the season is through.
Player of the Game:
Kairee Robinson ran for three rushing touchdowns and hauled in a fourth from Chevan Cordeiro, pacing the Spartans’ surge in the second half. Overall, Robinson finished with 126 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Averaging more than eight yards a carry seemed to be more than the Lobos could handle, as Robinson was able to turn the corner on a number of plays against a tired Lobos defense.
Next Up:
The Spartans will head home to face Utah State next week, looking for another conference win. The Lobos will stay home and welcome in the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors next Saturday.
