San Jose State vs. Georgia State: Score and Reaction for 2015 Cure Bowl

So, maybe 5-7 teams deserve a shot at bowl games after all.

Tyler Ervin ran for 132 yards and also returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown, as San Jose State defeated Georgia State 27-16 in the inaugural Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

Despite coming into Saturday’s game with only five wins, the Spartans entered the Cure Bowl as four-point favorites, according to Odds Shark. It surely wasn’t because of their record. The one aspect of the game that was going to swing in San Jose State’s favor was shutting down Georgia State quarterback Nick Arbuckle.

San Jose State’s pass defense came into Saturday’s tilt with the Panthers giving up only 153.6 passing yards per game. Arbuckle, who came into this game throwing for 4,160 yards and 26 touchdowns, struggled heavily for the majority of the game.

But when the Panthers needed to make a play, they got it from Arbuckle. The senior quarterback found Todd Boyd for a 19-yard touchdown with 10:46 left to help give the Panthers a 16-13 lead.

San Jose State would not go quietly, as the Spartans quickly responded, thanks to Tyler Potter's 42-yard touchdown run on a three-play drive to help give them a 20-16 lead. Ben Moore from 247Sports described Potter's run as a major gaffe up the middle by the Georgia State defense:

Then, with a chance to respond, Georgia State folded under pressure in the biggest of ways.

On the ensuing drive, the Panthers were faced with a 4th-and-1 situation near midfield. Instead of running the ball to get the yard, Arbuckle decided to take a shot down the field, but he overthrew his target.

Arbuckle finished the day throwing for 208 yards, two touchdowns and a late interception.

San Jose State took over on downs and did not fail in its quest to the end zone. The Spartans took 5:50 off the clock on their ensuing 11-play drive, and Potter capped it off with a touchdown pass to Josh Oliver from one yard out to put the game out of reach.

The Spartans were not meant to be here, but given the opportunity they were able to pull off a huge win and end 2015 on a high note. Even though they’ll finish with a losing record, they have a trophy, and that’s what matters. USA Today’s Dan Wolken shared this note:

Jason Kirk from SB Nation had this to say earlier in the game, and send help if more bowl games are on the horizon:

"

If San Jose State wins despite being 5-7, that's just proof we need more bowl games

— RIP Bitcoin Bowl (@JasonKirkSBN) December 20, 2015"

This was a great win for San Jose State, with offensive coordinator Greg Robinson deciding to retire after this year, and head coach Ron Caragher winning his first bowl game as the Spartans head coach. A win like this could propel San Jose State to having an even better season next year—one that doesn’t mean five wins equaling a bowl game.