What a game. This was one for the ages that will be talked about for years to come. San Jose State beat #16 Fresno State on Black Friday 62-52 in a wild, wild game. This was one of the biggest wins in school history. Records were broken. Dreams were dashed and renewed. And for a home game, the majority of those who came to the game went home unhappy. The following post tries to make sense of all the greatness that was San Jose State vs. Fresno State 2013.
The atmosphere at Spartan Stadium was one that wasn’t all too welcoming to the Spartans. It could be estimated that 80% of the crowd was in red. Fresno State fans traveled well. The game was the highest attended all year as over 23,000 watched one of the great displays of offensive college football in recent memory. Adding to the rivalry was the fact that during Senior Day ceremonies, Fresno State ran out on the field with their fans cheering their arrival, thoroughly ruining the festivities and seeming to disrespect the home team. This all occurred before kickoff. Then the fireworks started.
23,000+ look on as the Spartans battle Fresno State.
Back and forth the teams went. David Fales and Derek Carr put on a quarterbacking clinic and their receivers had a field day on the opposing secondary. It was 42-41 at halftime of a wild first half that included a blocked PAT being returned for a touchdown that was called back and numerous circus catches. During the contest there was also a delay due to what appeared to be a fan needing medical attention. Despite two San Jose State turnovers the biggest play would prove to be the very first play of the second half.
Punter Harrison Waid of the Spartans executed a perfect onside kick to start the second half that he himself recovered. San Jose State cashed in with another touchdown and after San Jose State’s Keith Smith intercepted Derek Carr in the fourth quarter the game was effectively over. San Jose State fumbled twice, but Derek Carr threw the lone interception of the game which seemed to have more dire consequences. Had San Jose State not lost the turnover battle the game may not have been as close as it was. This despite the Spartan secondary repeatedly being beat by Bulldog receivers. Draw plays out of the shotgun became more and more successful for the Spartans as the game went on, allowing quarterback David Fales and his receivers to distance themselves from the Bulldogs and secure the victory. Fales final stat line was incredible; he was 37 -45, throwing for a school record 547 yards and 6 touchdown passes. On the other sideline Derek Carr threw for 519 yards but his team still lost.
Now the Spartans look towards a likely bowl birth. After defeating the BCS ranked Bulldogs, it will be awfully hard for them to not be selected. History may very well show this to be one of the Spartans most meaningful and important victories ever.
7Th and Alma 