New Mexico vs. San Jose St Recap: Spartans Cover +16.5 in 21-16 Loss

New Mexico beat San Jose State 21-16, but the Spartans kept it a one-possession game into the final minutes. New Mexico's run game did most of the work, with 231 rushing yards on 43 carries, and Scottre Humphrey scored twice in the second quarter. San Jose State's defense kept answering: it intercepted three passes, turned two of them into field goals and returned the third 89 yards for a touchdown. Two DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game, both on the San Jose State side.

What cashed

ALT: San Jose State +16.5 (-127 at DraftKings / -130 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: San Jose State had stayed inside this number in 8 of its last 10 and in all 8 games this season. The main line was New Mexico -14.5 with a 42.5 total, so the alt gave two extra points of cushion. - What happened: The Spartans lost by 5, covering the alt line by 11.5. New Mexico led 21-9 late in the third quarter, but Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa's 89-yard interception return with 10:47 left made it 21-16, and New Mexico did not score again. - Worth watching: Getting extra points on a team that keeps games tight is a sound angle when the total is low. Fewer possessions make big margins harder to reach.

ALT: San Jose State over 10.5 team points (-162 at FanDuel / -165 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: San Jose State had topped 10.5 points in 8 of its last 10 and 7 of 8 this season, with the main total at 42.5. - What happened: The Spartans finished with 16, clearing by 5.5. Trajan Sinatra kicked field goals of 25, 24 and 28 yards for 9 points by halftime, and the pick-six in the fourth quarter put them over the line. - Worth watching: The defense supplied the touchdown here. The offense managed 238 total yards and 48 rushing yards, so this cashed on field goals and a defensive score rather than steady drives. That is worth keeping in mind before backing the same number again.

How the game played out

New Mexico opened with a turnover on downs, then took control with a 15-play, 82-yard touchdown drive. Kiefer Sibley ran for 102 yards on 12 carries and Humphrey added 87 yards on 16. Toa Fa'avae threw a 20-yard touchdown to Cade Keith in the third quarter, but he also threw three interceptions, which is what kept San Jose State close. Two of the Spartans' three fourth-quarter drives ended in interceptions and the other on downs.

Trends to watch

• Carson Clark was Luke Weaver's main target with 8 catches for 91 yards.
• Jabari Bates carried 22 times but managed 63 yards, and Weaver lost 22 yards on his runs, so San Jose State's ground game had little room.
• New Mexico's backfield split the work: Sibley, Humphrey and Fa'avae combined for 41 carries.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. Read up on the point spread and alt lines, or see the CFB hub.