Author : Sabri Haidar
We were live at one of the first college football games of the season, the San Jose State Spartans welcomed the Portland State Vikings in their home opener. The Spartans defeated Portland State 21-17, let's dive in and take a closer look at the game.
This was a very back and forth matchup , the Portland State's Dante Chachere started the game off early with a 11 yard Touchdown catch. San Jose State was quick to answer though, the Spartans Transfer Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro responded with a 32 yard run to the house! It tied the game 7-7 late in the first quarter. Before leaving Hawaii this offseason, Cordeiro had thrown for 6,167 yards and 45 touchdowns in three seasons there; this pickup was a significant improvement for the Spartans.
San Jose State started off the second quarter hot , marching down to on the goal line. A play-action pass for a go-ahead touchdown by Sam Olsen would give the Spartans the lead, the 1 yd touchdown pass made the game 14-7 early in the second quarter. Only a few minutes later in the game,Portland State was at the 10-yard line and San Jose State's Kenyon Reed flew in to make the interception with 8 minutes left in the half. San Jose State got a much needed confidence boost, the energy was rocking at CEFCU Stadium!
The energy slowly calmed down for the Spartans as the Vikings would score 10 points unanswered until the fourth quarter. Close to 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter, down 17-14 San Jose State had a huge interception at roughly the 20 yard line. This got things flowing again for San Jose’s Defense.
A little under two minutes left San Jose State knew they had to make something happen, Down 3 points Cordeiro threw a pass from the 35-yard line to Justin Lockhart to put them within 10 yards of a touchdown. On third-and-goal Cordeiro made a couple moves and punched it in himself making a 2 yard run for the Touchdown! San Jose State would take the lead 21 to 17,and Portland State would not answer and that would be the game-winning touchdown for the Spartans.
Cordeiro ended the game 15-30, with 239 yards and a Touchdown. Cooks led receiving yards with 123 yards on 6 receptions. The Spartans are looking to carry some momentum into there trip across the nation as they take on SEC Powerhouse Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium this
upcoming Saturday.