California Bowl : Perez Leads San Jose State to 37-7 Win

Coach Claude Gilbert said he “thought it could go this way if we put everything together” after watching his San Jose State Spartans’ 37-7 trouncing of Miami of Ohio in the California Bowl Saturday.

Quarterback Mike Perez, who missed the final two regular-season games with a shoulder separation, threw for three touchdowns while completing 21 of 37 passes, and James Saxon ran for 92 yards substituting for regular tailback Kenny Jackson, out with a bruised ankle.

“James Saxon came in and did a tremendous job,” Gilbert said. “That’s sort of the story of our team all year long. When we had injuries, others stepped in and did the job.”

San Jose’s offense was able to score often partly because the defense kept getting the ball back with five interceptions and one fumble recovery. The Spartan defense also held the Redskins to only 24 yards on the ground.

Perez, who led the nation in total offense this season with an average of 330 yards a game, nearly matched that with 291 yards. Guy Liggins caught eight of Perez’s passes for 133 yards.

Miami quarterback Terry Morris was intercepted four times.

The Spartans (10-2) earned the third straight victory by a Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. team over the Mid-American Conference representative and the fourth in six games.

San Jose got on top early via a 45-yard field goal by Sergio Olivarez.

Morris countered with a play-action pass to John Stofa for a 20-yard touchdown, the only time the Redskins (8-4) were in front.

The Spartans regained the lead in the second quarter as Saxon ran or caught the ball on six straight plays to grind out 19 yards and a touchdown.

San Jose increased its lead to 17-7 by halftime on a 36-yard pass from Perez to Liggins.

The Spartans increased their advantage in the second half as Lafo Malauulu caught a four-yard pass from Perez, who later hit Liggins with a 30-yard scoring pass.

Linebacker Chris Alexander turned the Spartans’ fourth interception of a Morris pass into a 39-yard touchdown return. The Spartans had a fifth interception against Mike Bates, who replaced Morris late in the game.