San Jose State’s turnovers prove costly in 26-16 loss to Air Force

SAN JOSE Three turnovers doomed San Jose State s chances against Air Force on Saturday leading to a - loss at CEFCU Stadium the Spartans third loss in their last four games When Air Force quarterback Liam Szarka threw a -yard touchdown to wide receiver Quin Smith to gain a - lead with left in the fourth quarter the match was beginning to seem out of reach Air Force s Jaylin Reese intercepts a pass intended for San Jose State s Leland Smith in the second quarter of their challenge at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group On the next drive a field goal by Spartans kicker Denis Lynch brought San Jose State within one result with left in the meeting It would be as close as the Spartans - - in Mountain West would get Air Force - - MW put the battle away on its final drive The Falcons drove methodically down the field eating up the tournament clock capping it off with a -yard field goal with seconds remaining to make it - and effectively ending SJSU s hopes Air Force won the time of possession battle to allowing the Falcons to notch just their second win in their last eight games After only scoring six points in the first half Spartans running back Steve Chavez-Soto scored on an -yard touchdown run and kicker Mathias Brown had a -yard field goal as SJSU pulled within - at the start of the fourth quarter But ultimately it was a first half filled with self-inflicted errors that made the deficit too much to overcome San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget is attended by diagnostic personnel after sustaining an injury while playing Air Force in the first quarter of their championship at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Eget would return later to play Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group With San Jose State pinned at its own in the final two minutes of the opening half quarterback Walker Eget s pass was deflected by the Air Force defensive line Eget then batted it in the air and running back Lamar Radcliffe caught it in the end zone where he was taken down for a safety making it - Air Force With to go in the first quarter Eget went down with an injury after a -yard scramble for a first down Eget left the event and was replaced by Xavier Ward who fumbled on a read option play giving the ball to Air Force When Eget returned to the event he threw two consecutive interceptions on the next two drives The second interception came when SJSU opted to go for a fourth and five at its own yard-line Eget finished the event -for- passing for yards no touchdowns and two interceptions Related Articles What to know before San Jose State kicks off against Air Force San Jose State s crucial showdown with Air Force could be another high-scoring affair A look at the Bay Area men s basketball teams for the - season A look at the Bay Area women s basketball teams for the - season San Jose State s strong finish vs Hawaii could be confidence booster needed for another run at a bowl Air Force utilized its triple option offense to milk the clock and keep SJSU s explosive offense off the field The Falcons ball dominance included a -play -yard drive that took off the event clock The long drive was capped off with a -yard scoring run by Szarka making the Ward fumble costly Szarka punched in a quarterback sneak and took a - lead capitalizing on both turnovers San Jose State had a laborious time dealing with the Falcons running meeting as Air Force rolled up yards rushing The Falcons Owen Allen ran for a game-high yards on carries while Szarka gained yards on attempts including the two TD runs After a two-game homestand SJSU will be back on the road next Saturday to face Nevada - - MW the current last-place organization in the Mountain West Kickoff is scheduled for p m Air Force quarterback Liam Szarka is all smiles after scoring a touchdown against San Jose State in the second quarter of their competition at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group Air Force s Levi Brown intercepts a pass thrown by San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget in the second quarter of their contest at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group San Jose State s Matthew Coleman makes a catch while playing against Air Force in the second quarter of their championship at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group San Jose State color guard members salute before the start of their match against Air Force at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group San Jose State s Danny Scudero fails to catch a pass while being guarded by Air Force s Max Mustell in the fourth quarter of their event at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Air Force defeated San Jose State - Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group San Jose State s Leland Smith fails to catch a pass while being guarded by Air Force s Levi Brown in the fourth quarter of their competition at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Air Force defeated San Jose State - Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group San Jose State kicker Mathias Brown kicks a -yard field goal against Air Force in the third quarter of their competition at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Air Force defeated San Jose State - Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group San Jose State s Steve Chavez-Soto is stopped from getting a first down while playing Air Force in the fourth quarter of their match at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Air Force defeated San Jose State - Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget throws a pass while playing Air Force in the fourth quarter of their battle at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Air Force defeated San Jose State - Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group San Jose State head coach Ken Niumatalolo shakes hands with Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun after their battle at San Jose State University in San Jose Calif on Saturday Nov Air Force defeated San Jose State - Jose Carlos Fajardo Bay Area News Group