No. 18 Oregon State spoils San Jose State Spartans’ home opener

Spartans kept things close early, but Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei throws 3 TDs and rushes for 2 more in SJSU’s 42-17 loss

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State’s offense struggled for most of the day, while No. 18 Oregon State transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei had a memorable debut, as the Spartans’ bid to upset a ranked Pac-12 opponent fell short for the second weekend in a row in a 42-17 loss at Spartan Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Chevan Cordeiro struggled at quarterback in the Spartans’ nationally televised home opener on CBS, completing 18 of 32 passes for 143 yards.

The Spartans had few answers for Uiagalelei, a Clemson transfer who scored three touchdowns in the first half as the Beavers led 21-3 at halftime. Uiagalelei finished with five touchdowns, three of which he threw and two of which he ran for.

SJSU trailed by as much as 32 points in the second half and didn’t score a touchdown until the first play of the fourth quarter, when Cordeiro fumbled a 2-yard rush in the end zone but recovered the ball with tight end Sam Olson.

The Beavers’ rushing attack averaged 5.6 yards per carry, with starter Damian Martinez gaining 145 yards on 18 carries. SJSU, on the other hand, rushed for 56 yards on 22 attempts. The Spartans gained only 279 yards of offense after gaining 396 yards in their season opener against No. 6 USC, and converted only 4 of 13 third-down conversions.

Oregon State’s winning streak against San Jose State now stands at five games.

Following back-to-back games against Pac-12 opponents, the Spartans have a short week before hosting FCS foe Cal Poly at CEFCU Stadium on Saturday.