The San José State football team made its conference debut and scored a season-high in points, defeating University of New Mexico 35-28 on Friday night.
With this result, SJSU is now 2-3 and sixth place in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) after coming into the game in 11th place, while New Mexico falls to 3-2.
The Spartans have now won their last four matchups against the Lobos, who have not won a game in San José since 1969.
SJSU entered the game without its top two running backs, Jabari Bates and Floyd Chalk IV.
However, freshman running back Steve Chavez-Soto stepped up in his debut, rushing for 71 yards on 14 carries and scoring two touchdowns to help lead the Spartans to a victory.
SJSU started the game strong, rushing the ball seven times on its opening drive after recording just one rushing attempt in the first half against Stanford.
Chavez-Soto capped off the drive with his first career touchdown – a four-yard run with 9:10 remaining in the first quarter.
Spartans head coach Ken Niumatalolo, praised Chavez-Soto, saying he knew the freshman was capable of such a performance after a strong summer.
“I got to do a better job as a coach because he did that during camp, there’s sometimes he got in there and you score like this kid’s pretty special,” Niumatalolo said. “What he did today is what he did during camp, so happy for him.
Chavez-Soto’s two touchdowns marked the second time this season a running back has rushed for two scores, with Chalk IV accomplishing the same feat against Idaho in the team’s first win.
The freshman entered the game with a veteran-minded confidence despite the big shoes he had to fill.
“I’m a little bit of everything in my opinion, I can go north-south, I can go east-west, I just think I can do it all,” Chavez-Soto said. “Our line did a great job blocking all day; it’s the team before me.”
With a depleted running back room, sophomore Lamar Radcliffe stepped into the starting running back role and recorded 64 rushing yards, the second most of his career.
Just one yard shy of his 65-yard performance in last year’s bowl game against USF, he also tied his career high with 15 carries.
The Spartans rushed for 153 yards compared to the Lobos’ 76 and also won the overall yardage battle, gaining 487 total yards to New Mexico’s 420.
Spartans senior quarterback Walker Eget built on his career night against Stanford, completing 26 of 30 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns.
This marks his second consecutive game with three touchdown passes, the first time he has achieved this in his career, according to the SJSU athletics website.
“I think coach (Stutzmann) and I have been on the same page, but I mean again the front has been tremendous, and the guys on the outside, they’re making plays,” Eget said. “It’s just great to see everybody coming together, and that’s the biggest thing.”
This is Eget’s third consecutive game without an interception and his second straight game without a turnover.
The Spartans had a big game on the wide receiver end as they had three receivers with over 50 yards.
Sophomore wide receiver Danny Scudero recorded seven catches for 151 yards, including a 70 yard touchdown with 6:15 remaining in the second quarter – the longest passing play of the season.
Scudero entered the game ranked third in the nation in receiving yards but now sits first, according to an NCAA statistics webpage.
SJSU’s defense also shone, forcing three interceptions after entering the season with none, including two by senior cornerback Jalen Bainer.
“Just reading my keys, relying on my technique, my coaching, and was just in position to make the play and came down with it,” Bainer said.
SJSU also recorded four sacks, tying its season-high set in the game against Stanford.
The Spartans are scheduled to play against the University of Wyoming on Saturday at 4 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium.