December 25th 2024.
Over the past three years, the San Jose State football team has unfortunately ended their season with a loss in a bowl game. This time, it was a tough 41-39 defeat in a thrilling five overtime game against South Florida in the Hawaii Bowl.
During the fifth overtime period, the Bulls had possession of the ball and were able to score two points thanks to a successful reception by Keshaun Singleton. The Spartans had a chance to respond, but their quarterback Walker Eget's pass intended for Justin Lockhart was deflected, ultimately ending the game.
At halftime, the Bulls were leading 21-10, but the Spartans came back strong in the second half, outscoring their opponents 17-3. In fact, it was thanks to a momentum-shifting interception by linebacker Noah McNeal-Franklin that the Spartans were able to take their first lead of the game. After a 27-yard return, the Spartans were in prime position on the two-yard line, and freshman running back Lamar Radcliffe was able to punch it in for the touchdown.
However, on their final possession of regulation, the Spartans were unable to convert on a third-and-1 play, forcing them to punt with only 53 seconds left on the clock. Unfortunately, a 13-yard return by USF's Sean Atkins put the Bulls in a great position to try and score before the end of regulation.
As the game went into overtime, both teams continued to battle it out on the field. In the end, it was the Bulls' kicker John Cannon who made a crucial 41-yard kick that tied up the game and sent it into a fourth overtime.
The first three overtime periods saw both teams score, but in the fourth period, neither team was able to reach the endzone. It wasn't until the fifth overtime that the Bulls were able to score, ultimately securing the win.
Despite the tough loss, there were some standout performances from the Spartans. Wide receiver Matthew Coleman, who stepped in for the injured Nick Nash, had an impressive game with 119 receiving yards on 12 receptions, including a touchdown in the first overtime and a two-point conversion in the third overtime. Quarterback Walker Eget also had a solid game, completing 33 out of 58 passes for two touchdowns and one interception.
It's always disappointing to end the season with a loss, but the San Jose State football team should be proud of their performance in the Hawaii Bowl. They fought hard until the very end and put on an exciting show for fans. And with some key players returning next season, the Spartans will surely be back and ready to dominate on the field.
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