"SAN JOSE Three turnovers doomed San Jose State's chances against Air Force on Saturday, leading to a 26-16 loss at CEFCU Stadium, the Spartans' third loss in their last four games. When Air Force quarterback Liam Szarka threw a 12-yard touchdown to wide receiver Quin Smith to gain a 23-13 lead with 9:11 left in the fourth quarter, the game was beginning to seem out of reach. Air Force's Jaylin Reese (45) intercepts a pass intended for San Jose State's Leland Smith (1) in the second quarter of their game at San Jose State University in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)"
"On the next drive, a field goal by Spartans kicker Denis Lynch brought San Jose State within one score with 5:43 left in the game. It would be as close as the Spartans (3-6, 2-3 in Mountain West) would get. It was my worst nightmare come true with the turnovers in the first half, San Jose State coach Ken Niumatalolo said. That was the one thing that could beat us. Air Force (3-6, 2-4 MW) put the game away on its final drive. The Falcons drove methodically down the field eating up the game clock, capping it off with a 33-yard field goal with 31 seconds remaining to make it 26-16 and effectively ending SJSU's hopes."
"They're willing to grind it out and keep the ball away from us, Niumatalolo said. What they did was effective. When you're ahead you can do that. After only scoring six points in the first half, Spartans running back Steve Chavez-Soto scored on an 8-yard touchdown run and kicker Mathias Brown had a 29-yard field goal as SJSU pulled within 16-13 at the start of the fourth quarter. But ultimately, it was a first half filled with self-inflicted errors that made the deficit too much to overcome."
San Jose State committed three first-half turnovers and fell 26-16 to Air Force at CEFCU Stadium, marking the Spartans' third loss in four games. Air Force built a 23-13 lead when Liam Szarka connected with Quin Smith for a 12-yard touchdown with 9:11 left in the fourth. San Jose State cut the deficit with a Denis Lynch field goal and an 8-yard touchdown run by Steve Chavez-Soto, but Air Force methodically consumed clock and sealed the win with a 33-yard field goal with 31 seconds remaining. Air Force won time of possession 35:51 to 23:34, and coach Ken Niumatalolo cited turnovers as decisive.
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