Valley Children’s Stadium- Fresno, California

In an unusual early-scheduled game (12:30 p.m.), the San Diego State Aztecs football team traveled north to face the Fresno State Bulldogs.

The two sides met for the “Battle for the Oil Can Trophy”, a tradition that started in 2011.

The Can represents the historical fact that during the beginning of the automobile and travel, drivers would carry extra oil on long trips between the two cities because of the difficult, winding roads. SDSU and Fresno State first started playing against one another in 1923, as SDSU won 12-2 when both played in the Southern California Junior College Conference. The two schools are very much in a rivalry when it comes to football.

Both teams were coming off a bye week and were fresh for the game.

In a surprising move, Carson Conklin started the game for Fresno State behind center, making his first start for the team at QB. EJ Warner, son of former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, had started for the Bulldogs all season. Just three days earlier, Bulldogs head coach Matt Entz indicated that Warner would continue to start. Obviously, something changed.

The two teams traded jabs on their first possessions of the game. SDSU only managed a few plays before handing the ball over to the home team. Fresno State traveled into SDSU territory but elected to punt on the 35-yard line instead of attempting a long field goal. This set the tone for the game as Fresno State looked like a sure thing to put points on the board.

On their second possession of the game, SDSU drove the field, scoring on a 1-yard run by Lucky Sutton. The nine-play, 92-yard scoring drive was assisted by a big defensive holding call on third down, which extended the drive for the Aztecs. Jayden Denegal hit Byron Cardwell Jr. on a 54-yard pass down the right sidelines, which put SDSU on the doorstep to the Bulldogs’ endzone.

Byron showing off the hands for the big gain👋

📺: @FS1 pic.twitter.com/c8ny8Qch9K

— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) October 25, 2025

SDSU immediately took the ball back from Fresno State on a three-and-out. The home crowd was subdued as SDSU received the ball for its third possession of the game.

Jayden Denegal continued to orchestrate his team as SDSU methodically drove down the field to close out the first quarter of the game. The large SDSU offensive line was controlling Fresno State in the trenches, as the Bulldogs looked defeated.

The second quarter provided some early excitement for Fresno State as a sack forced SDSU to attempt a 42-yard field goal. Gabriel Placencia knocked it home easily with his 23rd straight made field goal (a new MW record), giving SDSU a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Aztecs were driving down the field the next time they had the ball, but an interception by Al’zillion Hamilton near the goal line gave Fresno State the ball back. The pick was an athletic grab by the defender as Denegal attempted to drop a pass to his receiver down the seam.

Fresno State needed to adjust its style of play, being behind in the game. Byron Donelson and Rayshon Luke are both physical running backs, but were not allowed to carry the ball consecutively as the Bulldogs attempted to gain large chunks of yards in the air to get back into the game.

SDSU’s defense stepped up as Trey White forced an interception by August Salvati. Carson Conklin was hit late in the second quarter on a passing attempt, giving the ball back to SDSU on Fresno State’s 31-yard line.

Trey White brings the pain & August Salvati snags the INT 🙌

📺: @FS1 #AztecFAST 🍢 x #BeTheA1pha 🐺 x #TheClimb 📈 pic.twitter.com/eQIlhaJY3S

— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) October 25, 2025

A 24th straight field goal from Gabriel Placencia gave SDSU a 13-0 lead late in the first half.

With less than 90 seconds on the clock, the Bulldogs attempted to get into scoring position to close the half. The Aztecs’ defense proved to be too much as SDSU batted down passes in the flat and continued to take the Bulldog offense out of their game. SDSU held a 13-0 lead as the half closed, holding them just over 100 yards in total offense.

Multiple penalties by Fresno State resulted in self-inflicted wounds as the half began. SDSU got the ball back in its first possession of the second half. The team was driving down the field when Denegal was hurt on a run play around midfield. The quarterback went down holding his left shoulder, forcing Bert Emanuel Jr. into the game.

Emanuel Jr. brings a different style of play to the offense as he is considered a huge running threat. SDSU attempted to remain the same offensively, but the unit was limited as far as long strikes down the field. Emanuel does not possess the same arm strength as Denegal. Running an option-esque style of play, SDSU barged down into Fresno State territory. At this point, the large offensive line was really wearing down Fresno State in the trenches. The game looked to be in the grasp of SDSU.

In a head-scratching move, the Aztecs’ offensive coordinator called a reverse, which looked to be an attempted pass by Jordan Napier. On first and goal in Bulldog territory, SDSU coughed up the ball and provided huge momentum to the home crowd. Jordan Napier lost the ball on the botched handoff. Fresno State picked up the loose ball and ended up on their own 47-yard line.

Despite that, the defense was up for the challenge and forced a three-and-out. The Bulldogs continued to attempt to pass and abandoned the run game. The Aztecs received great news as Denegal returned to the game on the next offensive possession. He only missed part of one series with the injury.

Lucky Sutton continues to establish himself with the ball as the local product is thriving in the SDSU system. He pushes through tackles and falls forward after contact, providing upper-tier play from the running back position. A 47-yard run as the third quarter closed put the Aztecs on the doorstep of a large lead and put Sutton at over 120 yards in the game to that point. Sutton would finish the game with 131 yards on 21 carries.

Lucky Sutton ends the 3rd quarter in style 🍀

📺: @FS1 #AztecFAST 🍢 x #BeTheA1pha 🐺 x #TheClimb 📈 pic.twitter.com/8EJXSBa4RT

— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) October 25, 2025

The Aztecs’ offense sputtered once again with a chance for the death blow. SDSU settled for a 27-yard field goal off the left foot of Gabriel Placencia. His 25th consecutive field goal put SDSU up 16-0 with just over 13 minutes to play in the game.

Fresno State had put up under 30 yards on the ground to this point in the game. The Aztecs’ defense was too much for Fresno State as they couldn’t get anything going after their first drive of the game. SDSU put the game on ice with a pick-six halfway through the fourth quarter. Tano Letuli went 31 yards into the endzone to put the Aztecs up 23-0.

Tano Letuli pick-6 alert 🚨

📺: @FS1 #AztecFAST 🍢 x #BeTheA1pha 🐺 x #TheClimb 📈 pic.twitter.com/mlGxTkucPM

— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) October 25, 2025

The home crowd started to leave. Fresno State was in shock.

In the closing minutes of the game, the Bulldogs got something going offensively. They got in the red zone with just over three minutes left to play. A fourth and five pass was broken up by the Aztecs as they preserved the shutout. SDSU was looking to close out the game and earn its third shutout of the 2025 season. Emanuel Jr. returned behind center for SDSU, and the team was unable to gain any traction. The defense would need to close out the contest for the Aztecs.

Fresno State possessed the ball with under two minutes to play, looking for respect. The goal was simply not to be shut out at home. The SDSU defense was up for the task as the unit smothered Fresno State and did not allow them any productive plays downfield. Niles King sacked Conklin on a second-down play, which essentially ended the game.

SDSU is 6-1 on the season and 4-0 in the conference.

Next game: November 1 at home against Wyoming (3-4 on the season).

Game Notes

October 1980 (Utah State 14-0). The last time Fresno State was shut out at home.

The Aztecs are 32-27-4 all-time against the Fresno State Bulldogs.

This was SDSU’s first shutout against the Bulldogs in Fresno since 1975.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.