SJSU 45, UC-Davis 13

SJSU experienced another dose of first-quarter doldrums, but managed to nudge ahead just before halftime, and used a 21-0 third period to finally subdue a surprisingly game UC-Davis squad, all leading up to SJSU emerging as a 45-13 winner in the Spartans' 2012 home opener.

Highlight package can be seen here. Some stands video (with helpful shots of 'tron replays) can be found here. Post-game interviews with DE Travis Johnson, RB DeLeon Eskridge, and Mike MacIntyre are also available.

Things got off to a very shaky start for SJSU, when Harrison Waid's kickoff was returned for 33 yards (with Waid making a TD-saving tackle); UCD then scored on the second play from scrimmage on a 45-yard strike from Randy Wright to Alex Cannon. Just like that, less than a minute in, 7-zip UCD. SJSU could do nothing on their first series, and UCD got the ball back with plenty of spirit, eventually moving to the SJSU 26 before Travis Johnson turned into the one-man defensive unit by registering two sacks for a total loss of 31 yards and forcing UCD to punt. The SJSU total offensive output for the first quarter: 10 plays, 24 yards.

The second quarter was a rather mistake-filled frame, with fumbles, interceptions, missed field goals, and a 7-0 score until De'Leon Eskridge was finally able to break through for a TD run, evening the score. On the next UCD play (after Waid was once again forced to save a TD by making a tackle), Ben Benwikere stepped in front of a Wright pass to the flat and took the ball 43 yards back to the UCD 17. Eskridge then took the ball to the house just before half for a 14-7 SJSU lead.

While some were happy with the situation, SJSU Coach Mike MacIntyre was not, and he gathered the entire team on the field before going off to halftime and gave them some revised and extended remarks prior to going to the locker room.

The SJSU third quarter was much like last week's third quarter up at Stanford, in that SJSU came out, took the kickoff and drove the field in 7 plays for a TD pass from Blake Jurich to Chandler Jones. After UCD went three and out, SJSU went 56 yards in 8 plays for a TD pass (this time David Fales to Chandler Jones). Next UCD drive: Four and out, giving SJSU the ball back on the SJSU 21, and the Spartans went 10 plays and 79 yards, finishing on a 27-yard TD run by Eskridge, making the score 35-7 and pretty much sealing up the evening for the front-line players.

Stat-wise, SJSU outgained UCD 503-252, and had 28 first downs to UCD's 17. Overall, a pretty dominating performance; perhaps next week SJSU will be awake for all four quarters when they host Colorado State.