Aztecs finish undefeated at home, shutting down Spartans

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

SAN DIEGO – Complete, utter dominance. The San Diego State Aztecs, led by their defense, captured their sixth victory at Snapdragon Stadium with a 25-3 win Saturday, finishing the regular season undefeated at home.

Opponents that face the Aztecs in San Diego continue to tank and unravel. At home this season, San Diego State has outscored its opponents 187-41, including shutouts of Stony Brook and California.

With back-to-back home wins over the Spartans and Broncos, the Aztecs now control their path to hosting the Mountain West championship game. A win next week against New Mexico would secure it.

Once again, the Aztecs’ defense controlled the Spartans for 60 minutes, turning the game into a nightmare for an offense that was sacked four times and committed two turnovers.

The Aztecs’ offense struggled for most of the night and was out-gained 268-248, and out of 134 combined plays, only one went for more than 20 yards.

Two plays into the game’s opening possession, safety Dwayne McDougle intercepted his third pass of the season, setting up the Aztecs deep in Spartan territory. Running back Lucky Sutton carried the ball on five of the six plays, including a one-yard touchdown that gave SDSU an early lead.

On their next drive, the Spartans moved downfield but missed a 43-yard field goal after kicker Denis Lynch lost his footing. Before going three-and-out following the miss, San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget left with a knee injury, bringing in freshman Tama Amisone.

San Diego State answered with a 12-play, 57-yard drive capped by a 35-yard field goal from Gabriel Plascencia. The Spartans responded with a long field goal drive of their own, burning five minutes off the clock.

After a second missed field goal by San Jose State’s backup kicker, the Aztecs put together another late-half drive. Donovan Brown hauled in a 52-yard sliding catch to set up SDSU inside the 5, and four plays later, Jayden Denegal scored on a one-yard sneak to make it 18-3.

Both offenses struggled to muster momentum in the second half, but the Aztecs’ defense continued its dominance, allowing just 104 yards after the break. Entering the game questionable, senior defensive back Chris Johnson closed out senior night with a sack and a jump-ball interception.

The Aztecs iced the game on a five play, 45 yard drive, capped off by a eight-yard touchdown run by Christian Washington.  

One major concern with one game left in the regular season is the production at quarterback. Denegal completed eight passes for just 81 yards on 16 attempts, marking his second straight game with fewer than 100 passing yards. This season, Denegal has surpassed 200 yards through the air only three times and has thrown multiple touchdown passes in two games.

The junior was without his usual top target, Jordan Napier, for the first time this year. Outside of Donovan Brown, the Aztecs’ other three pass catchers combined for five receptions totaling only 21 yards.

Running backs Sutton and Washington carried the offense, combining for 30 rushing attempts, 149 yards and two touchdowns. Sutton has topped 60 rushing yards in every game this season, and his one-yard touchdown Saturday gave him eight on the year. Washington has now posted back-to-back games with at least 70 yards and is averaging 8.9 yards per carry over his last 19 attempts.

San Diego State’s four sacks came from Ryan Henderson, who had two, along with Johnson and Niles King.

San Diego State heads into the final week of the regular season with a chance to clinch the Mountain West title against New Mexico. Kickoff for the season finale is set for Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

THIS STORY WILL BE EDITED SOON. 

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos