San Jose State beats Nevada on Nash’s last-minute, trick-play TD 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.

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.

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.