RENO – The San Jose State Spartans fell to the Nevada Wolf Pack 28-13 on Saturday afternoon in an offensive meltdown.

The Spartans ended with 204 total yards, including just 70 before the fourth quarter. They played three quarterbacks, looking to find offensive consistency as freshman Daniel Rolovich made his second career start after playing well last week in place of Luke Weaver.

That fresh optimism did not remain for the Spartans (4-4, 2-2 Mountain West) after the game Saturday at Mackay Stadium.

SJSU went 1-for-14 on third downs and allowed four sacks, averaging just 2.2 yards per carry as the offense was their downfall. Here are a few takeaways from the loss to Nevada (3-4, 2-2):

SJSU quarterback play

Rolovich started the first two drives for the Spartans, with both ending in a three-and-out. Coach Ken Niumatalolo alluded postgame to a previously unknown injury for Rolovich.

“Daniel was a little bit banged up and couldn’t get any rhythm,” head coach Ken Niumatalolo said.

Fellow freshman Robert McDaniel took over for the ensuing 10 drives, throwing for just 48 yards and scoring three points.

Weaver, who started the first six games, came in down 21-3 early in the fourth quarter. SJSU’s offense looked its best with him at quarterback, scoring 10 points on its final two possessions.

“A lot of it wasn’t just him (McDaniel). I mean, he was running for his life; we couldn’t just put it all on him,” Niumatalolo said on the decision to keep McDaniel in even as he struggled. “If he had time to go through his progressions and didn’t make the throws, then we could have probably made that decision sooner.”

San Jose State’s longest play was a 47-yard pass from Weaver to wide receiver Dominique McKenzie.

“We’ve definitely got to look at that,” Niumatalolo said. “We moved the ball better when Luke was in there, so that’s probably where you’d lean, but we’ll watch the film and assess it as a staff.”

Offensive struggles as a whole

SJSU’s offense struggled in every facet, even in the run game, which has been the lone constant this season: The Spartans rushed for 65 yards, their lowest total of the season.

The offensive line struggled, allowing four sacks and two tackles for loss, which largely affected running back and quarterback play.

SJSU’s leader in receiving yards, Carson Clark, had his second-lowest receiving total, finishing with five catches for 42 receiving yards.

The offense finished with 10 three-and-outs and 11 punts on 14 possessions, while its defense held its own for a majority of the game.

Defensive performance

SJSU forced a turnover on downs, three-and-out, or an interception on 10 possessions. Keeping the game within striking distance until the middle of the fourth quarter.

“We can play; we can be out there all day,” linebacker Naseri Danielson said. We’re going to fight till the end, till the clock hits zero, and that’s the mindset.”

Safety Tulli Tagovalioa-Amosa led the Spartans with 11 tackles, while cornerback Jayden Robertson secured a second-quarter interception.

Up front, the Spartans held Nevada’s rushing attack, which entered the game averaging 5.3 yards per carry, to 2.2 yards per carry. SJSU finished with two sacks and five tackles for loss.

After this deflating defeat, the Spartans will look to rebound against stiff competition next week: They host New Mexico (6-1, 3-0), which sits atop the Mountain West standings.