Ball State Cardinals vs San Jose State Spartans Match Player Stats On Dec 31, 2020

No. 22 San Jose State was in a bind before Thursday's Arizona Bowl started with eight coaches and players not available for undisclosed reasons, which contributed to the Spartans' 34-13 loss to Ball State in Tucson.

Behind Drew Plitt's 217 yards on 12-of-19 passing, the Cardinals (7-1) achieved their first bowl victory in program history. They are now 1-7 in Division I bowls.

A few minutes before kickoff, San Jose State (7-1) announced that its offensive and defensive coordinators -- Kevin McGiven and Derrick Odum, respectively -- and Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Cade Hall, a defensive end, were unavailable for the game.

Also not in Arizona Stadium were receiver Bailey Gaither, running back/kickoff returner Shamar Garrett, safety Tre Jenkins and offensive linemen Kyle Hoppe and Tyler Stevens.

Hall led San Jose State this season with 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss and was named a first-team All-America this week by the Sporting News.

The Spartans also lost tight end Derrick Deese Jr., who had a team-high five touchdown receptions entering the game, after he hurt his neck early in the first quarter while making a reception.

Ball State stunned San Jose State with a 27-0 lead in the first quarter, and it maintained that advantage at halftime.

Antonio Phillips started the scoring by returning an interception 53 yards to the end zone with 12:47 left in the first quarter.

Nick Starkel, the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, threw the pick. He completed 25 of 42 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. He sat out a possession in the second quarter because of a knee injury.

Will Jones and Tye Evans each scored on 3-yard runs in Ball State's first two offensive possessions and then Plitt rushed in from a yard on a quarterback sneak to put the Cardinals ahead 27-0 with 1:04 left in the first quarter.

His score occurred six plays after Ball State's Nic Jones blocked a punt, giving the Cardinals the ball at the San Jose State 35.

Plitt's 48-yard touchdown pass to Yo'Heinz Tyler with 9:42 left in the third quarter increased the lead to 34-0.

Charlie Bostic followed with a 99-yard kickoff return to put San Jose State on the board. A two-point conversion pass failed.

Starkel's 8-yard touchdown pass to Jermai Braddock with one second left in the third quarter completed the scoring.

--Field Level Media