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SAN JOSE — The BYU Cougars headed to California to take on the San Jose St. Spartans and while the Cougar offense was stagnant most of the game they had a chance to win it at the end.
The high-powered Spartan offense started off fast, scoring on their first three possessions.
"SJSU's o-line looks ready for everything BYU is showing. The Cougars have to do something different or this is going to be a long night," tweeted @JaredrLloyd.
"SJSU is making every play tonight. The BYU defense has no answers at all," tweeted Cougar Sports Saturday's @KSLShep.
The BYU defense just didn't look themselves early.
"BYU allowed eight third-down conversions to Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Idaho, combined. SJSU went 8-for-10 on third downs in the 1st half," tweeted the Voice of the Cougars Greg Wrubell, @gregwrubell.
Spartan QB David Fales shredded the BYU defense in the first half.
"Fales 13/15 for 185 yards. 3 td 0 int. How did he ever miss on two passes?" @ArtDirectorBYU.
"Spartan QB David Fales threw for 235 yards in first half. What happened to the vaunted BYU defense?" tweeted @Tomzsports.
Just about everyone thought that, but in the second half, the game belonged to BYU's defense; especially line backer Kyle Van Noy.
"BYU LB Kyle Van Noy is keeping BYU in this game," tweeted @Matthewcelder.
While Van Noy stepped it up and had a solid game, QB Riley Nelson looked like he was in pain and struggled all night.
"This BYU team would be decent with a QB!!! I say put VanNoy under center!" tweeted @Scottwadey.
Nelson finished the night 28 of 51 with 335 yards along with one TD and one INT. The Cougars kept moving the ball late in the second half, but they couldn't finish drives.
On one drive Nelson fumbled, another he threw an interception and on a third the offense turned it over on downs.
BYU finally found the end zone late in the fourth and then went for an onside kick.
"One crazy night of college football continues with the BYU - San Jose State. Onside kick recovery by BYU!! 2:30 left down by 6" tweeted @DJ_Gillman.
"BYU scored to make it 20-14, and now they've recovered the onside kick... 2:33 to go" tweeted @jonfmorse.
"Wow, BYU recovers the onside kick. I have not seen a team recover an onside kick all season with the new rules this year," tweeted @Irishno1.
The Cougars and Nelson went to work and started moving the ball. The Cougars had time and managed to get into Spartan territory, but a hit to Nelson's blindside would be the end of the game.
"San Jose St. Dude jumpin over that HB blocker to dive sack and force fumble of BYU QB r u serious!!!" tweeted @flyinanyweatha.
"No way Jose. #SanJoseState gives up onside kick, but then stops #BYU final drive w/ sack & fumble of RileyNelson," tweted @ESPNCFB.
The Spartans recovered and kneed out the game. The Cougars fell to 6-5 on the season with the 20-14 loss.
Up next for the Cougars is the last game of the regular season as they travel to 1-9 New Mexico State.
