San Jose State continued its magical season on Saturday night at CEFCU Stadium, handily defeating UNLV 34-17 for its first 4-0 start since 1955.

In a season shortened by the pandemic, the Spartans are guaranteed to at least finish .500 for the first time under coach Brent Brennan.

Nick Starkel, who suffered an undisclosed injury in the first series of last week’s upset win over San Diego State, returned as San Jose State’s starting quarterback. He completed 17 of 28 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns. 

Bailey Gaither was once again Starkel’s favorite target, hauling in six catches for 94 yards. Gaither flashed his speed in the first quarter, taking a screen pass 41 yards to the house.

The quarterback’s return was not without blemishes. Starkel’s lone interception was the result of an overthrow right into the hands of UNLV’s Tre Caine. The following possession, Starkel was nearly intercepted by Aaron Lewis, who dropped what could’ve been a pick-six.

Starkel’s return was invaluable to the offense, but San Jose State’s ground game was the driving force in the win, totaling a season-high 176 rushing yards on 29 attempts. 

Backup quarterback Nick Nash led the ground attack, rushing for a team-high 94 rushing yards on just eight attempts.

Tyler Nevens and Kairee Robinson had combined for 85 rushing yards and each had one rushing touchdown apiece as well.

In the second quarter, San Jose State exclusively used the run to march 53 yards for a touchdown, capped by Nevens’s two-yard score. 

San Jose State, which entered Saturday averaging 94.0 rushing yards per game, the fewest in the Mountain West, had 89 yards at the half.

The Spartans also received a spark on special teams from true freshman Shamar Garrett. The former De La Salle High star had 98 yards on three kickoff returns, including an explosive 42-yard return.

Along with the offense’s productivity, the Spartans had arguably their best defensive performance of the season. San Jose State had seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss, both team season-highs. 

Defensive lineman Cade Hall led the Spartans with three sacks and four tackles for loss. Linebacker Kyle Harmon added another 10 tackles to his Mountain West lead.

UNLV, meanwhile, shot itself in the foot with eight penalties for 84 yards as the Rebels fell to 0-4.

Both of the Spartans’ touchdowns in the second quarter were aided by UNLV mental mistakes.

Early in the second quarter, Kue Olatoa was called for a personal foul after blatantly hitting Gaither on a punt attempt after he was down. Several minutes later, Kolo Uasike’s roughing-the-passer infraction led to Nevens’s two-yard rushing touchdown.

Later in the quarter, a pair of pass interference penalties by UNLV’s Nohl Williams and Bryce Jackson set up Gaither’s two-yard touchdown on a quick pass by Starkel.

Starting next week, San Jose State will begin a four-game gauntlet. The Spartans travel to Fresno State and Boise State before closing the regular season at home against Hawaii and Nevada.

San Jose State and Nevada, both 4-0, are the only undefeated teams in the Mountain West.