San Jose State came into Saturday night’s game against UTEP depleted, but the Spartans bounced back from last week’s heartbreaking loss to Wyoming with a convincing 24-11 victory over the Miners at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas..

Right before the game, starting quarterback Luke Weaver, who had been listed as questionable, was ruled out, setting up true freshman Daniel Rolovich to make his first career start.

Rolovich made an immediate impression, throwing for 193 yards and a touchdown on 12 of 23 passing without a turnover. He also added 39 yards on nine rushes, showing off his mobility throughout the game.

“His mobility definitely opens up everything. Plus, he has a big arm. Because of his athletic ability, both with his feet and his arm, he allows us to do everything,” head coach Ken Niumatalolo said.

The Spartans (4-3, 2-1 Mountain West) did something they had not done all season by scoring in the first quarter. On their opening drive, Rolovich found freshman receiver Carson Clark for an 11-yard touchdown. Clark finished with five catches for 104 yards, including a 63-yard grab.

With the win, San Jose State has surpassed its win total from last season, when the Spartans finished 3-9.

It wasn’t just Weaver who was unavailable for the Spartans. Starting senior running back Jabari Bates and junior tight end Cooper Hoch were also ruled out, opening the door for junior running back Viliami Teu to have a breakout game.

Teu finished with a career-best 156 rushing yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns, including a 66-yard touchdown run that gave the Spartans a 21-0 lead with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter. The 21-point margin was San Jose State’s largest lead of the season.

The San Jose State defense impressed throughout the game, finishing with a whopping 11 quarterback sacks, two off the school record of 13, set against the University of the Pacific on Nov. 14, 1981. Defensive lineman Jayland McGlothen, a junior from Las Vegas, had 3.5 sacks to lead the Spartans.

UTEP (1-6, 0-3 MW) rotated quarterbacks throughout the game. Sophomore EJ Colson Jr., who was questionable coming into the game, made the start but suffered another injury early in the second quarter after taking a big hit from senior defensive lineman Justin Stearns.

Sophomore Raymond Moore III, who started for the Miners last week, took over for the remainder of the game.

Colson Jr. completed all six of his passes for 87 yards, including a 64-yard completion to senior receiver Kam Thomas on UTEP’s first offensive play of the game. Thomas led the Miners with four catches for 96 yards.

Moore III finished 19 of 28 passing for 195 yards and also contributed in the running game with 55 yards on the ground.

Rolovich’s deep ball helped set up Teu’s first touchdown of the season. To open the third quarter, Rolovich connected with Clark for a 63-yard completion, setting up Teu’s 2-yard touchdown run to give San Jose State a 14-0 lead.

“I tried to be ready this week, and then I took my preparation really seriously.” Rolovich said.

The Spartans also made a big play on special teams, blocking senior Carlos Arreola’s field-goal attempt on the drive after Teu’s first touchdown. It was Arreola’s second miss of the night.

Arreola later connected on a 47-yard field goal late in the third quarter to put the Miners on the board. Spartans kicker Trajan Sinatra answered with a 26-yard field goal to open the fourth quarter, giving the Spartans a 24-3 advantage.

The Miners would not go down quietly.

With 10:52 remaining in the fourth quarter, UTEP marched 75 yards on 11 plays, ending the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run by sophomore receiver Nik Henry. UTEP added the 2-point conversion to cut San Jose State’s lead to 24-11.

The Spartans’ defense then iced the game, forcing a turnover on downs when Moore’s pass to the end zone fell incomplete.

San Jose State will close out its two-game road trip next Saturday when it takes on Nevada at 2 p.m. at Mackay Stadium in Reno.