San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - De'Leon Eskridge rushed for a career-high 217
yards and three touchdowns as the San Jose State Spartans closed out the
regular season with a 52-43 win over Louisiana Tech in a Western Athletic
Conference bout at Spartan Stadium.
David Fales also had a big day for San Jose State (10-2, 5-1 WAC), completing
25-of-37 passes for 367 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Noel
Grigsby caught seven passes for 127 yards.
For Louisiana Tech (9-3, 4-2 WAC), Kenneth Dixon rushed for just 33 yards, but
he scored his 27th rushing touchdown of the season, a WAC record. Colby
Cameron was busy on the evening, tossing 468 yards and three touchdowns on 38-
of-59 passing, but he also threw three interceptions. Quinton Patton (10
receptions, 125 yards, two TDs) and Myles White (seven receptions, 126 yards,
TD) each had big days receiving.
Following an early 45-yard field goal by Austin Lopez, Fales hooked up with
Hansel Wilson on a 42-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter to
give San Jose State a 10-0 lead.
Louisiana Tech answered later in the quarter when Dixon scored the record-
breaking touchdown from eight yards out, but following a missed PAT, the score
remained 10-6.
The teams swapped touchdowns early in the second quarter. First, Fales
connected with Ryan Otten on an 18-yard score for the Spartans, then the
Bulldogs responded with a 15-yard scoring strike from David Gru to Malon Lee.
San Jose State brought its advantage back to 11 points, 24-13, following a
one-yard touchdown rush from Eskridge, but Louisiana Tech ended the half with
two touchdowns in a span of three minutes. First, Cameron hooked up with
Patton for a 52-yard score, then Cameron rushed in a one-yard touchdown late
in the half to give the Bulldogs a 27-24 advantage at the break.
The Bulldogs added a 29-yard field goal from Matt Nelson early in the third
quarter, but San Jose State retook the lead, 31-30, on a four-yard touchdown
run by Ina Liaina.
The teams would swap touchdowns once again later in the third, with Cameron
tossing a 33-yard touchdown pass to White and Eskridge rushing in a 32-yard
score.
The Spartans lead extended to 45-37 early in the fourth with another Eskridge
touchdown, this time from one yard out. Louisiana Tech answered with another
Cameron-to-Patton connection (10 yards), but following a failed two-point
conversion, the score remained 45-43 in favor of the Spartans.
San Jose State sealed the shootout victory with a Fales 26-yard touchdown
pass to Jabari Carr later in the fourth quarter.
Louisiana Tech committed three second half turnovers to help seal its fate.
The teams combined for 1,151 yards of total offense.
GAME NOTES:
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