Aggies' offense stalls in 42-21 loss to San Jose State

SAN JOSE — The Aggies suffered their second consecutive loss of the season Saturday night to the San Jose State Spartans, falling 42-21.

"Obviously, about as disappointed as I could be in how we played," Utah State head coach Blake Anderson said after his team got outscored 28-7 in the second half. "Didn't feel like we did anything well."

The Utah State offense, which was led by McCae Hillstead for the first time since his injury against Connecticut three weeks ago, was unimpressive and accumulated just 21 points and 264 total yards of offense. Hillstead went 17-of-29 for 160 yards with two touchdowns and two critical interceptions.

"We definitely didn't play the way we wanted to," said running back Rahsul Faison, who rushed for 36 yards and a touchdown on six carries. "Nothing was really going our way tonight; they played really well."

Much of the offensive and defensive struggles started up front, according to Anderson. San Jose State finished with eight tackles for loss and just one sack, though their pressure led Hillstead to scramble early in many situations.

Wideouts Jalen Royals and Terrell Vaughn, who are both having impressive seasons, were held to just nine combined receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown (most of that production came on their final touchdown drive after going down three scores). Against Fresno State last week, the duo combined for 14 receptions, 244 yards, and three receiving touchdowns.

Despite the Aggies' two turnovers and nine tackles for loss, San Jose State tore the Aggies apart on offense, rushing for 251 yards and launching an aerial attack led by senior quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, who went 15-of-20 for 119 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

"(Cordeiro's) a great player. We knew he was going to make some plays. … Credit to San Jose State up front for giving him those lanes," said Cian Slone, who finished with 2.5 tackles for loss for the Aggies.

MJ Tafisi led the Aggies defense (again) in total tackles with 14.

Saturday's win breaks the Spartans' 10-game losing streak to the Aggies; their last victory over Utah State was in 2008. Both teams now move to 3-5 on the season.

The Aggies will now have to win three of their final four contests — that includes an away game at San Diego State or a home game against Boise State — in order to qualify for a bowl game. While still very doable, the loss Friday puts that goal further out of reach.

"Love to find a way to get this team bowl eligible, but right now we've just got to find a way to get a win," Anderson said.

The Aggies enter an important bye week where they will seek to heal physically, mentally and emotionally, according to Anderson, and will not play again until their away contest against San Diego State in early November.

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