Portland State wide receiver Beau Kelly (13) catches a twelve-yard touchdown pass against San Jose State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Associated Press
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Chevan Cordeiro threw a touchdown pass and ran for two scores, the second with 1:11 left in the game, and San Jose State rallied to beat Portland State 21-17 in a season opener on Thursday night.
Dante Chachere capped a 99-yard fourth-quarter drive with a 12-yard TD pass to Beau Kelly to give Portland State a 17-14 lead with 9:57 remaining. The drive lasted 15 plays and took 7:31 off the clock.
Chachere connected with Maclaine Griffin for an 11-yard score to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
The Spartans answered with touchdowns on back-to-back drives - a 32-yard run by Cordeiro and Cordeiro's 1-yard TD toss to Sam Olson - to take 14-7 lead into halftime.
Gianni Smith's 28-yard field goal in the third quarter pulled the Vikings within 14-10.
Cordeiro completed 15 of 30 passes for 239 yards. Elijah Cooks had six receptions for 123 yards.
Chachere threw for 270 yards on 24-of-37 passing, but he had two picked off. He also ran for 83 yards on 14 carries. Kelly caught six passes for 133 yards.
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Portland State wide receiver Beau Kelly, left, catches a twelve-yard touchdown pass against San Jose State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Associated Press
San Jose State linebacker Jordan Cobbs (44) celebrates after intercepting a pass against Portland State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Associated Press
Portland State cornerback Anthony Adams (14) is called for pass interference on a pass intended for San Jose State wide receiver Elijah Cooks, top, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Associated Press
San Jose State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, right, runs the ball for a two-yard touchdown against Portland State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Associated Press
San Jose State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro (2) scores a two-yard rushing touchdown against Portland State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Associated Press