The San Diego State Aztecs (5-1, 2-0) extended their winning streak to four games by blowing out the Nevada Wolf Pack (1-5, 0-2), 44-10, on Saturday night. 

It was the Aztecs’ best road performance of the season, as they played a complete game in all three phases. 

Special teams kicked off the scoring for the Aztecs in the first minute of the game. After the Aztecs’ defense forced a 3-and-out, Jordan Napier returned the punt 75 yards for a score. The last SDSU punt return for a score was by Jordan Byrd against Idaho State in 2022. 

The defense was up next, playing against Carter Jones (16/32, 177yds, 1 TD, 2 INT) in his first career start, making him the 8th true freshman QB to start an FBS game this season. The Wolf Pack entered the contest with 14 turnovers through five games, including 10 interceptions. 

On their third drive of the game, Jones was intercepted by Chris Johnson, who returned it 40 yards for a touchdown to give the Aztecs a 14-0 lead off two non-offensive scores. It was Johnson’s second pick-six of the season and third overall interception.

The Aztecs returned a punt and an interception for a touchdown in the same game for the first time since November 23, 2013. 

On the next drive, Dwayne McDougle picked off another Jones pass, his first interception as an Aztec. 

Now, it was the offense’s turn to put the game away. After only scoring 19 points total in two road games, the Aztecs’ offense broke out, scoring touchdowns on their final three drives of the first half. 

Following McDougle’s interception, Jayden Denegal (14/17, 205yds, 2 TD) drove the offense 70 yards in seven plays. The drive ended on Christian Washington’s first career receiving touchdown from 2 yards out. “We have the best defense in the conference,” Denegal said after the game. “We are focused on our next game.”

Denegal led another long scoring drive (73 yards) in the second quarter. Rolling out to his right, he flung a pass down the right sideline, finding Jacob Bostick wide open inside the ten. Bostick caught the pass and scampered into the end zone for a 31-yard reception to give the Aztecs a 28-0 lead. 

Lucky Sutton (16 car, 76 yds, 1 TD) got into the action with less than two minutes remaining in the half, rushing for a score from three yards out. 

The 35 points scored by the Aztecs was the most in an opening half since 2021.

Even when the Wolf Pack offense finally gained some momentum in the middle of the second quarter and drove 68 yards inside the Aztecs 5, the Aztecs defense held them off the scoreboard. Jones’ pass into the end zone on 4th and Goal fell incomplete for a turnover of downs. 

WR Jordan Napier continued his hot streak, catching five passes for 110 yards. Donovan Brown added four receptions for 58 yards. 

The Aztecs’ offense added three field goals in their first three drives of the second half to complete the team’s scoring. The offense totaled 411 yards (205 pass, 206 rush).  

Trey White and Dalesean Staley led the Aztecs’ defense with six tackles. White and Ryan Henderson recorded a sack each. They held the Wolf Pack to 254 total yards (177 pass, 77 rush), but allowed ten points in the fourth quarter to lose the potential shutout. 

Quick Notes

• LB Tano Letuli missed his second game of the season and was replaced in the starting lineup by Mister Williams (five tackles)
• LG Kalan Ellis went down with an injury on the opening drive of the second half and did not return
• Gabriel Plascencia’s three field goals (21, 45, 49) extended his consecutive made attempts to 22, the longest active streak in the country and a Mountain West record
• With the Aztecs 3 of 3 in red zone opportunities, they stay perfect for the season, scoring in all red zone chances
• The Aztecs’ defense has allowed only a combined 13 points in four of their five wins 
• Brady Anderson committed a targeting penalty in the fourth quarter and was ejected; he will have to sit out the first half of SDSU’s next game
• Hunter Green averaged 50.7 yards per punt on three attempts with a long of 61; two punts were downed inside the 20
• Dylan Labarbera led the Wolf Pack with nine tackles, four TFLs, and two sacks
• The Aztecs are 60-2 in their last 62 games when they rush for at least 200 yards

The Aztecs will be on their second and final bye next weekend before returning to the road to play the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Battle for the Old Oil Can on October 18. Kickoff time will be announced this coming Monday. 

Andre Haghverdian

Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. UC San Diego and San Diego State alumni living in America’s Finest City. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics.