Plascencia wins it for SDSU in 6-3 defensive slugfest
Credit: SDSU Athletics
Gabriel Plascencia played hero on Saturday afternoon, hitting a 25-yard field goal to break a 3-3 tie and send the SDSU Aztecs to 3-1 on the year.
Plascencia has made 18 straight field goals dating back to last year.
In a battle where points were at a premium, SDSU’s offense generated plays when it mattered most.
It was all Lucky Sutton on the final drive. He took the ball five straight times to pick up 30 yards (along with a personal foul on Northern Illinois) to set up a chip shot field goal for Plascencia.
SDSU picked up 151 yards on the ground; Sutton was responsible for 88 yards on 17 carries.
Perhaps it was Chris Johnson’s key interception in the third quarter that defined the game.
As Northern Illinois’ Brady Davidson rolled out to pass, Mister Williams applied pressure, going unblocked and forced Davidson to get rid of the ball heading toward the boundary.
The SDSU defense was playing a man-to-man coverage. Johnson saw the “X” receiver run beyond five yards, making it his coverage responsibility.
Johnson sniffed out the comeback route and jumped Williams’ pass to create the turnover.
Johnson now has an interception in back-to-back games.
The Aztecs’ defense has been on a tear to start the year. They were one field goal allowed from their third shutout of the year.
They have allowed four points per game through four weeks of football.
On Saturday, it was their pass defense that put on another clinic. A combination of them holding the back end in coverage and their pass rush generating pressure is what led to surrendering only 57 yards passing and getting off the field. Northern Illinois was only 4-15 on third downs.
No better feeling than coming home with a W 🔴⚫️#AztecFAST 🍢 x #BeTheA1pha 🐺 x #TheClimb 📈 pic.twitter.com/oYWZnAsGn8
— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) September 27, 2025
The Aztecs survived two interceptions from Jayden Denegal and two fumbles (both recovered) from Jordan Napier in punt returns.
Denegal was well protected today on his drop-backs. He was sacked just once. SDSU is now 3-0 on the season when Denegal goes down once or less.
The Aztecs are off to their best start since 2021, when they started 7-0.
SDSU is now 7-0 all-time against Northern Illinois.
They will take on Colorado State at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 3, at Snapdragon Stadium to start Mountain West conference play.
Mac Pham, a San Diego State alum, graduated with a distinction in Cum Laude and a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications. He formally served as the vice president for SDSU’s Asian American Journalist Association chapter.