The San Diego State Aztecs (6-1, 3-0) faced off against the middling Wyoming Cowboys (4-4, 2-2), looking to stay undefeated in Mountain West play and take sole possession of first place in the standings.

The Cowboys came out firing with a quick touchdown behind a Landon Sims 37-yard run to get inside the Aztec five-yard line. It was the first time the Aztecs gave up points (not just a touchdown) on the defensive opening drive this season. The Aztec offense tried to respond but was stifled at midfield, punting away and pinning the Cowboys inside the five.

Byron Cardwell turns on the jets for six!

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The Aztec fan base at Snapdragon was quieted early on in the game, but Bryce Phillips changed that with an interception off an overthrow by Wyoming QB Kaden Anderson.

The Aztecs quickly responded with a middle screen to Byron Caldwell Jr. for 24 yards to tie the score at seven all. The Aztec defense continued to spark fireworks. This came with another interception, this time by Dwayne McDougle, giving the Aztecs prime field position to take advantage. On 4th and 1, Coach Sean Lewis elected to take the points with Gaberiel Plascencia’s NCAA-leading 26th straight converted field goal try.

McDougle INT in Wyoming territory!

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San Diego State’s defense, after the opening TD possession, recorded three interceptions, 63 total yards, three punts, and one missed field goal.

Rob Aurich’s group was stellar in the first half amid the TD to start the game. The Aztec offense was very boom or bust in the first half. The Aztecs converted all 17 of their first-half points off turnovers from the Cowboys. On the reverse, the Aztecs and Denegal threw two interceptions. After Kaden Anderson’s third thrown interception of the game, the Aztecs had the chance to put the game away before the first half even ended. Denegal threw his second interception of the game with a poor decision to throw into double coverage in the red zone.

To start the second half, Denegal and company got down into the red zone and looked like they were going to get at least three to open the half.

However, Gaberiel Plascensia ended his consecutive made field goal streak with a 24-yard miss. The Aztec defense continued to give the Cowboys problems, forcing a 3-and-out on Wyoming’s first offensive possession of the second half. It was a very uneventful third quarter as neither team, besides the Aztecs’ opening drive, had an efficient long long-lasting drive. Both defenses showed up and showed out.

Malachi Finau brings the BOOM & it’s Aztec’s ball!

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The Wyoming defense faltered against the Aztec offense after the Aztec defense forced its fourth turnover of the game. The Aztec defense stood tall, getting a sack to force another long field goal attempt for Erik Sandvik. Sandvik would miss his second field goal of the game by not having the distance, just like his first attempt.

Lucky Sutton said “See Ya” ✌️

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Coach Sean Lewis elected to stay on the conservative side of his play calling amid the field goal miss by Sandvik. That could have been due to his QB Denegal putting the ball in harm’s way multiple times throughout the game.

Lewis trusted his defense, which, after the opening drive of the game, locked down and shut out the Wyoming Cowboys.

The defense forced yet another three-and-out, giving the Aztecs the ball back with just 3:56 remaining in the contest. Lucky Sutton put the final nail in the coffin of the Wyoming Cowboys with a 50-yard TD run to put the Aztecs on top 24-7 with 2:57 left. The win gives the Aztecs the lone first-place spot in the Mountain West standings.

The Aztecs will face Hawaii next Saturday, November 8, at 6 PM H.T. and 8 PM P.T.

Game Notes

• This was the first game the Aztecs had trailed since 7:10 in the first quarter of the Northern Illinois game.
• The Aztecs have allowed 10 points or less in six of their seven wins this season.
• The Aztecs’ 50% conversion rate in the Red Zone is the first time this year they have not scored inside the red zone all season.
• Lucky Sutton’s 158 yards rushing set a new career high
• Excluding the first TD drive for the Cowboys, they had 14 drives with only 110 yards of total offense and four turnovers

Bryant Thursby

Assistant Coach at Heritage High School. A big time SDSU fanatic and Padres fan.