San Jose State Downs Chico State
San Jose State Downs Chico State
The San Jose Spartans improved to 3-0 in California D1AA league play with an impressive win over Chico State under the lights in San Jose.
The Spartans came out firing with, running hard with ball in hand and tackling well on defense. But it was Chico State that opened the scoring, punishing a San Jose State mistake and taking it into the corner. That put the Wildcats up 5-0 but San Jose State responded quickly to tie it. And as the match progressed the Spartans seem to gain strength, dominating scrums and putting pressure on their backline.
Scores came from the Spartan mauls and well-executed backline attacking plays, pushing the SJSU lead to 21-5. Flyhalf Zach Tabangcura and fullback Juan Galparsoro were very impressive cutting through the Chico line and finding space for their support.
The forwards were led by co -captain and prop Luis Hernandez, who led by example with his determined defense and hard carries.
The second half was a continuation of the first with the Spartans gaining more momentum and scoring off well-worked mauls and then exploiting the space they created. The physical SJSU defense put Chico State under pressure and that was highlighted when, at the end of the game, the Spartans scored on an interception in the Chico 22.
It was the first San Jose State win over Chico State in several years.
Tabangcura was named player of the game.
Also in the California D1AA, American River College is now 3-0 in the conference after a 48-0 defeat of San Francisco State (their loss to Stanford was switched to a forfeit win). But, ARC has some very tough games to come, with Chico State, Fresno State, and SJSU left on the slate.
Chico State is now 1-1 after a victory over Fresno State and they take on ARC next week.
