Eastern Michigan’s home opener last week against Sacramento State was a cause for optimism. 

Friday night’s contest against San Jose State, however, gave EMU reason to be concerned. 

Eastern Michigan (1-1) failed to hold onto its third-quarter lead after a long touchdown run and a defensive touchdown, and lost to the Spartans 27-21.

San Jose (1-1) didn’t outclass EMU with talent, and it even won the road trip in spite of shooting itself in the foot 13 times with 100 yards worth of penalties.

San Jose matched EMU in a lot of ways in the first half, then San Jose started to create moments and capitalize on its opportunities. In the second half, its quarterback continually dug its offense out of 1st-and-15 or 1st-and-20 sized holes while EMU’s offense failed to take a snap on San Jose’s side of the field.

There was a 50-yard touchdown run from midfield at the beginning of the third quarter, sure. But EMU punted four straight times after that.

Here’s how Saturday’s action unfolded:

No scoring plays.

7-0 EMU, 9:19 | 12-YARD CATCH BY WR HAROLD MACK, FROM QB NOAH KIM (RUDY KESSINGER PAT)

Harold Mack had a 34-yard catch to begin the drive, and an 11-yard grab to give his team the game’s first points. Joshua Long also had a 12-yard completion on a middle-screen play to make this drive a quick one: 58 yards in just six plays, and just over three minutes.

Mack would finish the day as EMU’s leading receiver. He was targeted 10 times and caught seven for 72 yards.

7-7, 1:19 | 27-YARD CATCH BY SJSU WR JASE NIX, FROM QB LUKE WEAVER (SINATRA PAT)

San Jose State got back at EMU with a quick touchdown of its own before halftime.

Spartan quarterback Luke Weaver tossed up a deep pass to his receiver, Cooper Hoch, for a 51-yard catch-and-run on the right side of the field, then he found Jase Nix 27 yards deep to his left for a passing score.

10-7, SJSU 0:00 | 45-YARD FIELD GOAL BY SJSU K TRAJAN SINATRA

EMU’s defense regrettably surrendered three points before halftime. After two first-down throws got San Jose across midfield, there was one second left on the clock before halftime. After the second first down, EMU defensive end Marvell Eggleston was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, yelling toward the San Jose side. (After the game, head coach Chris Creighton said that his player was spat on.)

That meant 15 free yards for San Jose.

Instead of a potential Hail Mary pass situation from 44 yards out, San Jose attempted and made a 45-yard field goal. The kick put San Jose up three points into the halftime break.

14-10 EMU, 11:53 | 50-YARD RUN BY AMAREON BLUE (KESSINGER PAT)

Fifty, breezy yards for Amareon Blue’s first career touchdown. Out of a timeout for a 4th & 1 call, Blue took Kim’s handoff up the middle and was untouched the entire way.

Blue finished the game with 81 rush yards on 11 carries.

17-14 SJSU, 6:08 | 10-YARD CATCH BY SJSU WR COOPER HOCH, FROM QB LUKE WEAVER (SINATRA PAT)

After EMU scored on a 75-yard drive, San Jose made one happen too. Well, it was actually an 82-yard drive, considering SJSU started the drive off with a delay-of-game penalty to move it back five yards, then its QB was dropped for a sack for another two yards lost. But Weaver connected with his tight end on a fourth-down pass play, then had completions of 13, 12, 2, and 10 yards to finish the scoring drive.

On third down from EMU’s 10-yard line, Weaver roamed around until he found Hoch open in the end zone and fired an accurate pass near his knees for the touchdown.

21-17 EMU, 6:08 | 0-YARD FUMBLE RECOVERY BY DB BRYCE LLEWELLYN (KESSINGER PAT)

Daniel Hull’s punt was fair caught on the 13-yard line, which was the best starting defensive field position of the night for EMU. Backup defensive end Ronn Hardin ran up behind Weaver for a sack and punched the ball out of his hands. The football rolled toward the end zone, and Bryce Llewellyn fell on it as it rolled into the end zone.

24-21 SJSU, 11:19 | 40-YARD CATCH BY SJSU WR COOPER HOCH (KESSINGER PAT)

San Jose’s top receiver of the night had a big performance Friday night. On another quick, 5-play drive, Weaver connected with Hoch again, over the middle for a 40-yard connection. Hoch was able to beat one EMU defender and waltzed into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night.

27-21 SJSU, 1:37 | 49-YARD FIELD GOAL BY SJSU K TRAJAN SINATRA

On 4th & 2 out of the 2-minute timeout, Kim threw a costly interception over the middle of the field. San Jose’s offense took the field, but got stuffed by EMU’s defense and settled for three more points from Sinatra.

With 97 seconds left in the game, Kim connected with Joey Mattord out of the backfield for a first-down gain, but his next four throws went nowhere. Nearly intercepted on first down. Nearly picked again on second. Pass tipped by the guy who had the interception on the previous drive. Then he overthrew Long on fourth down.

Kim’s final stat line: 24 for 43, 174 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 10 rush yards.

The visiting QB: 23 for 39, 316 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 10 rush yards.

EMU DEFENSE QUICK STOP OUT THE GATE

Just like last game, Eastern’s defense got the opposing offense off the field in a hurry. San Jose won the opening coin toss, but elected to put its offense on the field first.

Wrong move. On the first third down of the game, Barry Manning stepped up with an open-field tackle against San Jose’s QB. Last week against Sacramento State, EMU’s defense had a hot start with five-straight three-and-outs.

FIVE FOR FLINCHING

EMU made it to Spartan territory on its second offensive possession of the evening. Noah Kim was able to connect with Mack for 13 yards and Long for eight. Kim scrambled and tried to pick up a first down with his legs on 3rd & 8, but was marked a yard short, on San Jose’s 34. EMU’s attempt to get San Jose’s linemen to jump offsides failed. Instead, Ken Niumatalolo called a timeout to calm his team, and EMU lineman Cole Dellinger moved before the play and drew a 5-yard penalty.

EMU settled to punt from San Jose’s 39, and Daniel Hull’s punt landed in the end zone for a touchback.

FOURTH DOWN STOP

The Spartans drove into EMU territory twice in the first quarter. After it got to EMU’s 39 on its second drive of the game, it took a delay-of-game penalty to punt from EMU’s 44-yard line, which landed in the end zone to result in a touchback.

On its second try, it faced a fourth-and-short from EMU’s 42. San Jose’s offense chose to run a speed option run play, which was stopped for a loss by sophomore Tylan Boykin and senior Zach Mowchan.

CATCH RULED INCOMPLETE, TURNOVER ON DOWNS

EMU thought it had an impressive-looking first down grab from its slot receiver, but the zebras ruled against their original decision. A 14-yard sack against Kim pushed EMU back to second down and a mile as the first quarter came to a close. Nick Devereaux and Long had a pair of catches to get EMU closer to the first down mark, but faced a 4th & 1. Kim lofted up a pass for Benson Prosper up the right seam of the field, who laid out to try and make a catch.

The play was initially ruled a catch, but the officiating crew took a second look and came back to tell the home crowd some bad news. Prosper didn’t have enough control of the ball, and the pass was ruled incomplete for a turnover on downs.

CALEB DOBBS INT, JUAN SALAS ASSIST

Caleb Dobbs had a near-interception in the first quarter, but was able to get his hands on one in the second quarter — it just didn’t happen without some help. Second-year safety Juan Salas broke up Weaver’s intermediate left-side throw, and the ball bobbled into the hands of Dobbs for the first turnover of the game.

SJSU PUNTS IN EMU TERRITORY TWICE

In the first half, San Jose punted two times from EMU territory.

First in the first quarter, from EMU’s 44. It landed in the endzone for a clear touchback. The second came in the second quarter after its field goal unit was flagged for a delay of game. The 5-yard penalty put San Jose’s punter back on the field to kick from EMU’s 41. Quinn Fracassi fair caught that on the 8.

INJURIES

Ruled out, of note: LB Kadin Bailey, OL Joshua Anderson, OL Carter Miculka, OL Elijha Payne, DE Jefferson Adam

Ruled questionable, played: CB Caleb Coley

Ruled questionable, dressed but did not play: DE Hector Gonzalez

Tyler Brumfield, left tackle, left last week’s game but returned to the starting lineup this week, giving EMU the same starting five for the first two weeks of the year.

Manning went into the injury tent right before San Jose’s touchdown drive in the first half, and didn’t come out until the third quarter.

Dellinger also left the game with a left leg injury; Dennis Strey Jr. filled in at his right guard spot.

Eastern Michigan hits the road for its third game of the year, but will stay in the state, as its next game is in East Lansing. Michigan State (1-0) also played Friday night, and battled Toledo (0-1) to a 30-20 home win.