BOISE, ID - OCTOBER 7: Running back Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Boise State Broncos fumbles the ball in the red zone during the first half against the San Jose State Spartans at Albertsons Stadium on October 7, 2023 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
San Jose State’s hopes of playing in its third bowl game in four years look a huge hit on Saturday night after the Spartans squandered a 20-point lead to lose 35-27 to Boise State at Bronco Stadium.
The Spartans (1-5, 0-2 Mountain West) jumped out to a 27-7 lead late in the second quarter in large part by forcing three first-half turnovers. But Boise State scored just before halftime and scored the final 28 points in the game as SJSU remained winless all-time at BSU. SJSU must win five of its final six games to become bowl eligible.
SJSU quarterback Chevan Cordeiro completed 22 of 38 passes for 325 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Kairee Robinson totaled 134 yards from scrimmage to go along with a touchdown.
The two-headed Boise State quarterback attack of Taylen Green and Maddux Madsen combined for 229 yards passing and 5 touchdowns.
A downhill rushing attack produced three rushing touchdowns by Robinson, Cordeiro and Quali Conley. The Spartans scored on five straight possessions at one point in the first half and went into halftime up 27-14.
Boise State (3-3, 2-0 MW) methodically got back into the game in front of 37,491 fans, the second-largest crowd in Bronco Stadium history. Boise State went ahead for good on the first play of the fourth quarter when Green scored his second rushing touchdown to make it 28-27.
SJSU is 0-7 all-time at Boise State and falls to 1-14 all-time against the Broncos. Their only win came in 2020 when they beat Boise State 34-20 in the Mountain West Championship in Las Vegas.
SJSU’s offense blitzed the Broncos for 316 yards in the first half, but totaled just 100 yards and no points after halftime.
After Green threw a touchdown to put Boise State up 35-27, Cordeiro threw an interception on the next possession with just under four minutes left in the game. On the ensuing possession, the Broncos missed a 54-yard field goal and gave SJSU 50 seconds to complete a game-winning drive.
But the Spartans came up short as the Broncos turned the ball over on downs to end the game.
The Spartans have now been outscored 63-7 in the second half in their last three games and Cordeiro has thrown an interception in each of those losses.
The Spartans will head to Albuquerque next Saturday to play at New Mexico, which is 2-3 this season.
Originally published at Nathan Canilao