GAME INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, November 15

Location: San Diego, Snapdragon Stadium

Kickoff: 7:30 PM PT

TV: CBS Sports Network

Aztecs Radio Network: San Diego Sports 760

SDSU is back home at Snapdragon after suffering its first conference loss at Hawai’i.

The loss ended a six-game winning streak that began on September 20, when the Red and Black stunned the University of California with a 34-0 shutout at Snapdragon.

This week, rival Boise State comes to town to try and stay in the hunt for an opportunity to compete for the Mountain West Championship. Both teams are 4-1 in the conference. The Aztecs sit at 7-2 overall, and the Broncos at 6-3.

“To come back home where we are undefeated, to have an unbelievable opportunity to chase towards a sellout again, for our community to be there and to support a great team that’s playing really well, we’re in a great spot,” head coach Sean Lewis said Monday, ahead of the work week for his 7-2 squad. “Still first in the conference. Can’t lose sight of that and all the great work that these guys have done, and we’re excited to lean back into the work. We’ll bring the team in this evening to put that game to bed, turn the page, and start prep for a really good Boise team that’s coming in.”

Lewis and his team still control their own destiny in the chase to host the Mountain West Championship, and that starts with this matchup against the Broncos before finishing out the season at home against San Jose State and in New Mexico against the Lobos.

The game across the Pacific is one the team would want to learn from and move on. The loss was a big road bump, but SDSU is still in good shape and is having a much more successful season than most outside the locker room anticipated. SDSU was picked to finish eighth in the Mountain West preseason polling and is currently sitting atop the conference in year two under Lewis.

Boise State comes into this matchup without its standout quarterback, Maddux Madsen, after he was injured early in the team’s last game against Fresno State. Max Cutforth will be starting at quarterback for the Broncos. He came in for Madsen against the Bulldogs and had a less-than-impressive outing as he completed less than 50% of his passes for only 106 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

Both teams are coming off losses, but the Broncos had a bye week in between. The Broncos are 6-4 in the last ten matchups, with the last matchup in Boise being a lopsided 56-24 win for the Broncos.

This matchup will be hard-fought as always, even with Madsen out for Boise. SDSU will have to be disciplined and focused to finish the season strong and potentially host the Mountain West Championship in front of its home crowd.

Keys To The Game

• Pressure The Quarterback

With Cutforth due to start this matchup for the Broncos, the emphasis for the defense will be to get after him and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Rob Aurich has done a good job of getting after opposing quarterbacks this season, as his unit is second overall in the conference in total sacks with 21.

With that success of getting after the quarterback comes interceptions, which SDSU has had 11 of so far, one shy of leading the conference. Last matchup without its top defensive back, Chris Johnson, the defense was exploited. 

Luckily for the Red and Black, they will face a former walk-on in Cutforth. It will be important to ensure he isn’t comfortable in the pocket and throw off his timing with his receivers.

If the big guys up front can do a good job of applying pressure as well as shutting down the run, then the secondary could be in for a big night. 

Senior EDGE Trey White spoke of the importance of the defensive line. “It’s going to be huge for the D-line this week. We know what kind of challenge Boise represents and brings us.”

Expect Aurich to bring pressure while also containing the three running backs who can be explosive at any time of the game.

• Get The Offense Back On Track

Last week was the worst performance of the season for the offense. They failed to find the endzone and were abysmal on both third down (2-for-14) and fourth down (0-for-2). They also turned the football over four times.

The offense only accumulated 267 total yards, far from the average of 356 per game. Jayden Denegal threw two interceptions, and the team failed to take advantage of being in Rainbow Warrior territory 14 times.

This week, back at home, they will need to get back to their old form. Denegal has been regressing, and the run game was not of assistance last week.

The Broncos have a balanced defense with a tough line up front as well as ball-hawking players in the secondary. They surrender an average of 24 points per game to opponents.

The offense will need to get back on track and in a good rhythm to defeat this team. Expect them to rely on the legs of Lucky Sutton to set up Denegal and the receivers to have a big night.

Lewis will most likely limit risky throws by Denegal and try to control the clock and the game as best as he can. 

If the defense can create turnovers and set up the offense with good field position, that will improve the odds. Cutforth could give the Red and Black some good field position if he plays like he did against Fresno State, but head coach Spencer Danielson will rely on his trio in the backfield to try and limit turnovers.

Players To Watch

• Broncos Running Backs

Boise State’s backfield consists of three very talented running backs. Dylan Riley, Sire Gaines, and Malik Sherrod carry the offense and will be relied on heavily Saturday night.

Lewis spoke briefly of the Bronco backfield at his Monday morning presser. “They have a stable of backs that are really talented, but they still rely on that run game in a big-time way.”

Riley leads the pack with 104 attempts for 745 yards and seven touchdowns. Gaines has 99 carries for 473 yards and five touchdowns, and Sherrod has 64 rushes for 317 yards and two touchdowns.

All three backs can go the distance and make big plays at any time of the game.

Containing this backfield that is constantly replenished with fresh legs will be the most important thing for the Aztecs on Saturday.

If the backfield can be slowed, the offense will begin to falter. To counter that, Danielson will have to be creative, as he has always had Madsen to help ignite the offense.

• Trey White

White is a household name around San Diego and the cornerstone of the defense. His energy and leadership inspire his teammates, and that is shown through his being named a captain again this year.

He will need to continue that leadership Saturday night and lead this defense. White leads the team in sacks with six and quarterback hits with 12. The plan to stop the run and pressure the quarterback will rely on White.

When White is constantly taking up double teams and extra blockers, it opens up the rest of his defensive line to make big plays. This has happened more this season as his success last year put a target on his back. 

Against Hawaii, he was ineffective, and it showed in the way the Rainbow Warriors moved the football against SDSU.

This week, against a solid Boise State offensive line, White will be looking to get back on track. 

If he can’t be contained, he can wreak havoc in the backfield and make it a very long and frustrating night for Cutforth.

Look for Aurich to find ways to allow White to play free and unleash his abilities on the Broncos.

Johnny Olivieri

Johnny is born and raised in San Diego and a diehard fan of all his hometown teams. He is an avid collector of sports memorabilia that help paint a picture of the history of sports in San Diego. He spends a lot of his time attending sports games across San Diego county and enjoys studying the history and spreading knowledge of San Diego’s diverse sports.