SAN JOSE >> San Jose State’s football game against visiting UNLV on Friday night was supposed to be a barn-burner: Two impressive squads, each highlighted by its high-powered offense.

The Spartans’ defense made sure only one was on display, and quarterback Chevan Cordeiro handled the rest.

Cordeiro rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two others, helping the Spartans crush visiting UNLV 40-7 in front of 16,669 fans at CEFCU Stadium.

“I thought our kids executed and played with incredible effort, energy and enthusiasm and it was just a fun, fun night at CEFCU Stadium,” said Brent Brennan, the Spartans’ head coach.

With the win, the Spartans (4-1, 2-0) gained sole possession first place in Mountain West Conference’s West Division. They’ve posted three straight decisive victories since suffering a narrow loss to Auburn in Alabama on Sept. 10.

“Every win takes a lot; it’s hard to win in the Mountain West,” Cordeiro said. “It feels great and on to the next one.”

They’ll look to extend their win streak when they take on host Fresno State (1-3, 0-0) on Saturday at 7:45 p.m.

The Rebels (4-2, 2-1), who entered averaging 37.8 points per game, were held 213 yards of offense on 55 plays. Their lone score, a 14-yard pass from Cameron Friel to Senika McKie came late in third quarter, with the outcome already secured.

“I feel like it’s all in our preparation,” Spartans cornerback Nehemiah Shelton said. “We go to work every day, day in and day out we keep grinding. We strive to hold them to no points and get a shutout every week.”

The Spartans scored on four of their first five series and jumped out to a 33-0 lead.

Cordeiro isn’t in any Heisman Trophy chatter, but the sure-armed and fleet-footed Hawaii transfer continues to compile impressive numbers. He rushed for a team-high 109 yards on 14 carries, boosted his rushing TD total to six, also a team-leading total, and completed 18 of 27 passes for 230 yards. Along the way he pushed his string of passes without an interception to 162 — no small feat considering the Rebels rank No. 2 in the nation with 11 picks.

“He’s someone who puts in the work regardless of how he played the previous day, regardless of how he thinks he’s going to play that day, or if he’s hurt, or fully healthy,” Spartans tight end Dominick Mazotti said. “He’s someone who loves the game of football. And that’s what has impressed me most is his ability to stay humble the entire time.”

Cordeiro was sacked four times, twice by Austin Ajiake, for a loss of 23 yards, which counted against his rushing total.

Running back Kairee Robinson got the Spartans on the scoreboard on their first series. He scored on a 9-yard run to cap a 12-play, 76-yard drive. He has five touchdown runs on the season.

The Spartans went ahead 20-0 behind a pair of scores from Cordeiro. His first score capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive, and his second TD came one play after Noah Lavulo recovered a fumble that gave SJSU possession at UNLV’s 15-yard line.

Placekicker Taren Schive missed an extra-point kick, but booted a pair of field goals to give the Spartans a 26-0 lead.

Both Cordeiro’s scoring strikes came in the second half. He connected with Mazotti, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior out of Amador Valley High in Pleasanton, from 27 yards out in the third quarter, and receiver Elijah Cooks from 20 yards out in the fourth quarter.

Mazotti finished with seven receptions for 100 yards, both game highs and career highs. The Spartans totaled 433 yards on 63 offensive plays.

Jordan Pollard and Kyle Harmon each recorded seven tackles to lead the Spartans’ defense. Tre Jenkins, Cade Hall, and Viliami Fehoko recorded sacks.

“I don’t know that I thought that we’d be able to shut them down on that level, but I have confidence in our defense,” Brennan said. “We have a good defensive football team. They’re extremely well coached. Everyone of those coaches does an outstanding job with his respective group. And it was a lot of fun to see them play. They play with a lot of great effort and intensity.”