SAN JOSE – Kyle Reed found Kevin Jurovich for a 17-yard touchdown pass on fourth and 13 with eight seconds left to give San Jose State a 13-10 victory over UC Davis in front of an announced crowd of 18,730 at Spartan Stadium on Saturday night.
The Aggies (0-1) did not trail for the first 59:52 as they scored on their first two possessions, but they could not generate any more points the rest of the way.
"That was a heartbreaker," Aggies junior quarterback Danny Alfaro said. "It feels like my gut was ripped out."
Alfaro was 21 of 34 for 193 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions starting in place of Greg Denham, who has a sore knee. Alfaro connected with Bakari Grant for a 54-yard touchdown on the first pass attempt of his career in just the Aggies' fourth play from scrimmage.
The Aggies' defensive front seven dominated the first half as each of San Jose State's first four drives were ended effectively ended by either tackle John Faletoese or linebacker Steven Wulff.
On the game's opening drive, Faletoese burst into the backfield on second and 13 on the Aggies' 19-yard line for a sack and loss of 11 yards. That drive ended in a missed 42-yard field-goal attempt.
Wulff recovered a Dominique Hunsucker fumble on San Jose State's second drive, and had a 23-yard interception return on the third to set up an Aggie field goal, and a drive-ending sack deep in San Jose State territory on the Spartans' fourth possession.
"There wasn't a doubt in my mind that we would be competitive tonight," Faletoese said of the defensive unit. "They're obviously a step above us … but we weren't afraid."
Reed, the third quarterback San Jose State (1-0) used, was the difference as he entered in the third quarter and finished the game. The junior Cal transfer was 6-of-7 passing on his first drive, ending in a three-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams on fourth and goal. Faletoese blocked the extra-point attempt, however, to notch the sixth blocked kick of his career.
On the Spartans' final possession, Reed drove the team 64 yards in 1:15, including a 37-yard pass to Jurovich that set them up on the UC Davis 14 with 40 seconds remaining. On the touchdown pass, Reed was pressured, but he stepped back and threw a perfect spiral down the middle to Jurovich, three yards deep in the end zone.
"We absolutely outplayed them tonight," Aggies coach Bob Biggs said. "And that bodes well for the rest of the season."
Call The Bee's John Parker, (916) 326-5519.
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