Luke Weaver’s third touchdown pass lifts San Jose State over Eastern Michigan 27-21

YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — Luke Weaver threw three touchdown passes, two to Cooper Hoch, and San Jose State rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Eastern Michigan 27-21 on Friday night.

Eastern Michigan took a 21-17 lead into the final quarter after Weaver fumbled on a sack by Ronn Hardin near the San Jose State goal line and Bryce Llewellyn recovered the loose bal.

Weaver then rallied the Spartans and his 40-yard touchdown pass to Hoch put the Spartans (1-1) back ahead 24-21 with about 11 minutes remaining. Their defense held Eastern Michigan to 25 yards in the fourth quarter and Trajan Sinatra’s 49-yard field goal in the final two minutes wrapped up the scoring.

Weaver completed 23 of 39 passes for 316 yards and was intercepted once. Hoch had 115 receiving yards and Jabari Bates led the ground game with 119 yards.

Noah Kim had 174 yards passing with a touchdown for the Eagles (1-1). He threw one interception.

Eastern Michigan scored first when Kim hit Harold Mack with a short touchdown pass six minutes into the second quarter. The Spartans rallied with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Weaver to Jase Nix and a 45-yard field goal by Sinatra on the final play of the half for a 10-7 lead.

The matchup was the first in the regular season between the two teams. Previously, Eastern Michigan defeated San Jose State in the 1987 California Bowl and the 2022 Potato Bowl.

Up next

San Jose State: Cal Poly visits on Sept. 12.

Eastern Michigan: at Michigan State on Sept. 12. —-

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