SAN JOSE, Calif. — The script for Sacramento State's third-consecutive win over an FBS opponent could not have started better, but in the end, five turnovers proved too costly for the Hornets in a 42-24 loss to San Jose State in the season opener for both teams.
 
Sacramento State jumped out to a 14-0 lead nearly 10 minutes into the game off a pair of touchdowns from Elijah Tau-Tolliver. Safety Murvin Kenion III sparked the first scoring drive with an interception along the sideline to give the ball back to the offense. Twelve plays later, Tau-Tolliver plunged in from 3-yards out to put the Hornets up seven midway through the quarter.
 
The Spartans' next series was derailed on the first play when the snap sailed over the head of quarterback Emmett Brown and was recovered by Ben Ahio at the SJSU 15. Sacramento State moved the ball to the 2-yard line setting up the second score from Tau-Tolliver to match his career game high.
 
The teams traded scores for the remainder of the half with SJSU scoring on a 24-yard pass to Nick Nash to cut its deficit to 14-7 with 3:09 left in the opening quarter. Sacramento State was inches away from matching the score on the following drive but Coleman Kuntz was stopped shy of the goal line on fourth down. The Hornet defense responded by forcing a three-and-out and Zach Schreiner converted a 28-yard field goal to stretch the team's lead to 10.
 
Nash was again involved in the Spartans' next touchdown as he caught a backwards pass and then threw a 26-yard score to Jacob Stewart to make it 17-14 at the half. San Jose State took its first lead of the game on the opening drive of the third quarter with an 11-yard pass to Nash. That score held until late in the third quarter with the Hornets took their final lead of the game on a 20-yard pass from Carson Conklin to Danny Scudero. Conklin was called into action after Kaiden Bennett was shaken up on a rush attempt.
 
SJSU put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, outscoring Sacramento State, 21-0. Fred Chalk capped a 12-play, 90-yard drive with a 4-yard rush to return to the lead to the Spartans. The team added touchdowns after a pair of short drives. Justin Lockhart caught an 8-yard pass for a score after San Jose State recovered a fumble on a kickoff return. The final score came after the Hornets were stopped on fourth down and Chalk ran 27 yards.
 
Sacramento State will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Fresno State.
 
NOTES

• Elijah Tau-Tolliver set career highs with 22 rush attempts for 110 yards. Tau-Tolliver's previous highs were 9 attempts and 100 yards.
• After leaving the game, Kaiden Bennett returning to action in the fourth quarter.
• Michael Johnson was transported off the field by medical staff following a hit on a kickoff return. Johnson was alert and had movement in all extremities.
• Scudero's touchdown reception was the first of his career.
• Kaleb Higgins had a team-high eight tackles.
• Fata Puloka and Mason Brosseau were each credited with a sack. Puloka, who played nickelback and linebacker last season, was making his first appearance at defensive end and had a strip sack.
• Cal McGough averaged 44.0 yards per punt and three attempts with a long of 52.