GAME INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, September 6

Location: Pullman, Washington, Martin Stadium

Kickoff: 7:15 PM PT

TV: The CW

Aztecs Radio Network: San Diego Sports 760

The Aztecs are packing for Pullman, WA, their first road trip of the 2025 season, following a statement win in their home opener. Last season, Lewis’ squad was 1-5 on the road. 

“Was really pleased across the board, and obviously got a really tough opportunity here to go on the road and see what we’re made of, as we go into a hostile environment against a good Washington State team that found a way to win against a really good Idaho team,” Lewis said at his weekly press conference ahead of prep for the road trip. “So, you know, already onto the prep, had a great little jog through this morning with the boys and everything. So, in a good place, and like where we’re at, and obviously, plenty of room to grow.”

They look to improve to 2-0 playing a Washington State team coming off a home win and a new head coach in Jimmy Rogers. Rogers became the 35th coach in Cougars history after spending 12 years with South Dakota State. The Cougars beat the Idaho Vandals 13-10 after redshirt sophomore Jaxon Potter led his team into field goal range with less than two minutes remaining. 

Potter was named the starter after a four-way quarterback competition, and Rogers spoke of the decision post-game, stating the reasons Potter was chosen were for his consistency, passing precision, and ability not to take sacks. 

The Red and Black will look to give the Cougars their first loss of the season and are primed to do damage defensively, as the Cougars’ run game struggled in the first game, totaling a dismal three rushing yards. The offense will be tested, though. Washington State’s defense forced two fumbles and held the Vandals to only 33 passing yards. The weak spot for the Cougars’ defense is the run game, as they allowed 221 rushing yards, and the lone score was via a rushing touchdown.

Keys to the game

• Control the clock with a sound rushing attack

This week’s key to the game will be to wear down the Cougar defense with a ground-and-pound approach, controlling the clock and ultimately the game.

Last week was a much different ground attack on the Mesa compared to Lewis’s first year. Lucky Sutton took the reins and rushed for a career-high 100 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Washington also carried the ball seven times for 38 yards and a score, and transfer Byron Cardwell Jr added another 29 yards on seven carries. 

 “I thought the O-line did a tremendous job,” Lewis explained about the run game in week one. “The run game did a tremendous job. We were really able to control the ball. There’s some really good complementary football. When you can manage and you can control the pace and the play of the game really benefits everyone. I was really pleased with all the efforts. It was great to see Lucky really step up and embrace the opportunity that he has earned.”

A much more balanced and spread-out rushing attack benefited the offense. That combination, paired with Jayden Denegal’s 207 yards passing and one touchdown, allowed SDSU to win the time of possession 37:25 to 22:35. 

If the Red and Black can maintain their rushing attack this week, it will make securing this road win a whole lot easier.

• Pressure the quarterback & create turnovers

The Aztec defense did its job, holding Stony Brook to zero points for the first shutout since an August 31, 2019, win over Weber State, 6-0. Despite failing to force a turnover, they kept the pressure on the quarterback and held the Seawolves to 95 yards of total offense.

The defense will need to perform well again, and this time on the road against a young, hungry quarterback. Trey White failed to record a sack but was able to apply pressure and account for three tackles. He will need to up his production this week and get after Potter. 

Linebackers Tano Letuli and Owen Chambliss both played big roles in the win. Letuli had a team-high nine tackles, and Chambliss had a sack and six tackles. Both linebackers will be leaned on again this week.

If the big guys up front can apply pressure to a team that is already weak in the run game, they should be able to create turnovers and give the ball-hawkers in the secondary opportunities to get the ball back for their offense.

This game could come down to who can win the turnover battle, as the Cougars have shown they can put up a fight until the very end.

Players to watch

• Caleb Francl (LB)

Francl played for Rogers at South Dakota State and followed him to Washington State when he got the head coaching job. He played a key part in the team’s win over the Vandals, accounting for six total tackles and consistently applying pressure in the backfield.

The offensive line for SDSU did its job in week one and will be relied on heavily again this week. Unlike last season, when the offensive line was riddled with injuries early, this week saw no changes in the depth chart.

Look for Francl to be in the mix early, and SDSU linemen will need to communicate to ensure they are on the same page with blocking assignments; otherwise, it could be a long night.

• Jaxon Potter (QB)

The quarterback is arguably the most important position on the football field. Potter brings a special skillset to the position for the Cougars. 

Competition brings out the best in players, and Potter beat out three others to earn the starting job. He proved his coach’s decision to be right after remaining calm and leading his team into field position for his kicker to make the game-winner.

The Aztecs will be keeping a close eye on Potter. He has the ability and accuracy to pick apart a defense while not making many errant throws for defensive backs to intercept.

Not only is he effective with his arm, but he can escape the pocket and remain accurate.

Defensive coordinator Rob Aurich will be looking to mix up blitz packages and disguises to try and rattle the young quarterback into making enough mistakes for his defense to capitalize on.

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.