Quarterback Bryson Barnes delivered a standout two-touchdown performance, and kicker Tanner Rinker nailed a pair of crucial late field goals as Utah State edged San Jose State 30–25 in a thrilling Mountain West matchup on Friday night.
Utah State Holds Its Nerve in the Fourth Quarter
With just over six minutes left, Rinker capped a 14-play drive with a 45-yard field goal to give the Aggies a narrow 27–25 lead. He later sealed the win with another confident strike from 44 yards out with under two minutes remaining.
The victory lifted Utah State to 4–3 overall (2–1 in conference play), keeping their bowl aspirations alive heading into the second half of the season.
Back-and-Forth Battle in Logan
San Jose State started fast with a 37-yard field goal by Denis Lynch on the opening drive, but Utah State answered immediately when Braden Pegan punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 7–3.
The Spartans regained the lead late in the second quarter when Walker Eget connected with Lamar Radcliffe on a 15-yard touchdown, though a missed extra point left them up just 9–7. Utah State responded before halftime, driving for a 31-yard Rinker field goal and a 10–9 lead at the break.
Explosive Third Quarter Sets Up Dramatic Finish
The offenses exploded after halftime. Barnes launched a 74-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Garcia on Utah State’s first possession of the third quarter, only for Steve Chavez-Soto to answer moments later with a 66-yard rushing touchdown for San Jose State.
Barnes added a 2-yard rushing score to extend Utah State’s advantage to 24–16 before Lynch’s 35-yard field goal pulled the Spartans within five.
In the final quarter, Eget hit Leland Smith on a 45-yard touchdown to give San Jose State a brief 25–24 lead, but Rinker’s steady kicking turned the tide back in Utah State’s favor for good.
Standout Performers
Barnes put on one of his best performances of the season — completing 22 of 31 passes for 326 yards, plus 54 rushing yards and two total touchdowns. Garcia led all receivers with three catches for 121 yards, including the 74-yard score.
Eget kept San Jose State competitive, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns on 27-of-49 passing. Smith (116 yards, one touchdown) and Kyri Shoels (104 yards) each topped the 100-yard receiving mark, while Chavez-Soto added 102 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries.
What’s Next
Utah State will look to build on this momentum as it continues its Mountain West schedule, while San Jose State — now 2–5 overall (1–2 conference) — will aim to regroup and fix defensive lapses that proved costly late in the game.
