Former Woodbridge star QB Nick Nash lifts San Jose State to third straight victory

Nick Nash had a big night at quarterback Friday for San Jose State. (Photo courtesy San Jose State sports information)

Former Woodbridge High star quarterback Nick Nash played a big role in helping San Jose State University’s football team capture a 28-17 victory over San Diego State Friday night in a Mountain West Conference game at the Dignity Health Center in Carson.

Among those who sent congratulatory notes to Nash were his former coach at Woodbridge Rick Gibson.

Gibson said he watched part of the nationally televised game on the CBS Sports Network.

“It’s stuff that we saw a lot of: the athleticism, the understanding of where the options are,” Gibson said Saturday night. “He ran a lot of the stuff similar to what we ran here so that was exciting to see. It’s always great when you see someone like that get to that next level and see them succeed in such a great way.

“His knowledge of the game has come to the forefront. It’s very exciting. I sent him a text today and I’m sure he’s probably gotten a million of them. I told him it was wonderful to see somebody represent the school so well as I knew he would. He’s just that kind of a kid.”

Nash, a sophomore, came on in the first quarter of Friday’s game when starting quarterback Nick Starkel left with an injury.

Nash capped the victory over previously undefeated San Diego State when he scored on a 14-yard run with 1:33 remaining in the game.
 
Nash finished the game completing 16-of-25 passes for two touchdowns and 169 yards. He was the Spartans’ leading rusher with 53 yards on 11 carries.

San Jose State’s defense was strong all night, holding San Diego State to 101 yards on 45 rushing attempts.

Tre Jenkins led San Jose State’s defense with a single-game career best eight tackles, a pass interception and a forced fumble.

The 6-1, 184-pound Nash played in each of the first six games of the 2019 season for San Jose State, completing 12 of 17 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. He led the team in rushing average (6.4 yards).

Nash had a stellar career at Woodbridge, leading the Warriors to an 8-4 record in 2017. He was named the Pacific Coast League offensive MVP, passing for 1,728 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Nash also rushed for 1,269 yards and 17 touchdowns but suffered a knee injury in the Warriors opening round CIF Division 9 playoff game against Aliso Niguel, ending his career. His brother Jacob was a standout receiver on the Woodbridge team that year.

Nash’s father, Kenny, was a wide receiver on the 1985 and 1986 San Jose State team and later played for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Nick Nash is a business administration major at San Jose State.

Source: San Jose State sports information office. Tim Burt contributed to this story