San Jose State beats Nevada on Nash’s last-minute, trick-play touchdown pass

SAN JOSE — A second-half quarterback change followed by a touchdown pass from a former quarterback sparked San Jose State to a last-minute, 35-31 come-from-behind victory over Nevada Saturday night.

Trailing 31-28, backup quarterback Walker Eget would lead the Spartans downfield for the game-winning drive, highlighted by a 51-yard pass to Sebastian Macaluso to get them in prime field position with 1:18 left.

Then a San Jose trick play saw wide receiver Nick Nash channel his inner quarterback, his former position, on a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide open running back Jabari Bates with 50 seconds left.

“I was supposed to throw it back to Nash and put my arms up for a touchdown,” Eget said on the trick play. “I did my job.”

It is October right?

Tricks out the bag pic.twitter.com/zklLpZ3OYv

— San José State Football (@SanJoseStateFB) October 6, 2024

An interception in the end zone by SJSU’s safety Robert ‘Rocket’ Rahimi would seal the game.

In the third quarter, with the Spartans backed into first-and-20 on their own 23-yard line Eget trotted onto the field to replace starter Emmett Brown, who had gone 12-for-28 for 170 yards and two scores before San Jose’s offense began stalling as he had three passes batted down by Nevada’s linemen.

“I was just locked in and that’s how it has to be no matter what,” Eget said on his number being called.

The next eight plays saw Eget go 5-for-5 for 55 yards passing while igniting the offense. Running back Floyd Chalk would punch it in on fourth-and-goal from five yards out to punctuate the drive and tie the score at 28-all with three minutes left in the third quarter.

Eget would finish 10-for-13 with 141 yards.

“I didn’t expect the change at that time,” head coach Ken Niumatalolo said on the quarterback swap. “But (Eget) went in there and played well.”

Kicker Matthew Killam gave Nevada a 31-28 lead when a 13-play, nearly 7 ½ minute drive culminated with his 25-yard field goal with 10:28 left in the game.

Quarterback Brendon Lewis was the Wolfpack’s leading rusher, with 90 yards.

The Spartans will look for a third conference win in their next game scheduled at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Colorado State.