Following a 17-7 victory against Boise State to reclaim the top spot in the Mountain West standings, three members of San Diego State football received national recognition this week. 

Running back Lucky Sutton (197 car, 1,048 yds, 8 TDs) was named one of ten semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, handed to the best running back in the country. Sutton leads the Mountain West in rushing yards and rushing yards per game and is ranked sixth among all FBS players. The three finalists will be announced on November 25, and the winner will be named on December 12. 

Plack kicker Gabe Plascencia (17/19 FGA, 26/26 PATs) was named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award, handed to the best kicker in the country. Plascencia is the first Aztec semifinalist for the award since John Baron II in 2018. His career 91.9% on field goal attempts is the second highest in FBS history (minimum 30 made). The three finalists will be announced on November 25, and the winner will be named on December 12.   

Head coach Sean Lewis (8-2, 5-1) was named one of 24 semifinalists for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award. Despite being picked to finish eighth in the Mountain West in the preseason media poll, Lewis has the Aztecs on the doorstep of hosting the Conference Championship Game in his second season at the helm. The finalists will be announced on December 8, and the winner will be named on December 30. 

What is wrong with the passing game?

In the midst of the euphoria of 277 rushing yards and a win over the Broncos, the coaching staff is left searching for answers on how to reignite the passing offense. 

QB Jayden Denegal only completed six passes (in ten attempts) for 17 yards. 

The six completions were as follows:

• Donovan Brown for 1yd
• Lucky Sutton for -4yds
• Jordan Napier for -2yds
• Mikey Welsh for 23yds
• Mikey Welsh for -3yds
• Mikey Welsh for 2yds

Removing Welsh’s 23-yd reception in the third quarter, the remaining five completions totaled -6 yards. Lewis spoke postgame about how the conditions of the game (wet weather, score, and rushing success) dictated the Aztecs did not need to air it out to win the game. 

While that proved correct, a complementary passing attack could have put the game away much earlier. The week prior, Hawai’i had no issue airing it out for nearly 300 yards in the first half in the pouring rain. 

Heading into the Boise State game, the passing game was already struggling with an ailing Denegal, injured in the Fresno State game and listed as questionable heading into the Wyoming and Hawai’i games before starting both. 

In the four games since the second bye week, Denegal has only completed 38 of 78 passes for 467 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. 

It does not help matters that news surfaced Wednesday that Napier will miss the rest of the season due to the injury sustained from a hit by a Broncos’ defender on an overthrown pass in the second quarter. Napier led the team with 47 catches and 629 receiving yards and is the second starting receiver to be lost for the season. Jacob Bostick (11 rec, 157yds, 3 TDs) was ruled out for the season before the Fresno State game after suffering a knee injury in practice. 

Mikey Welsh (10 rec, 115 yds) will replace Napier’s spot as the starting slot receiver, while Donovan Brown (23 rec, 321 yds, 1 TD) and Nathan Acevedo (10 rec, 117 yds) will continue to start as outside receivers. 

Could local San Diego high school standouts Will Cianfrini (1 rec, 5yds) and Jerry McClure (1 rec, 8yds) receive increased opportunities? After missing the first four games, Cianfrini played 95 snaps over the last six games, including 20 snaps per game average since Bostick’s injury. McClure has 52 snaps on the season, but only three in the past three games.

Championship Game Clinching Scenarios

On Wednesday, the Mountain West sent out clinching scenarios for the seven teams in the mix to play in the championship game. 

The Aztecs are the only team that controls their own destiny. If they win their remaining two games, they will host the game. If they drop one, they will need some help to make the game, but could still host it. Drop both games, and their chances dwindle. 

Five teams (Boise State, Hawai’i, UNLV, Fresno State, and New Mexico) sit at two losses, while Utah State, with three losses, still holds an outside shot at getting in with a lot of help. Hawai’i and UNLV face off Friday night, so one of the two-loss teams is guaranteed to drop a third game. Fresno State hosts Utah State on Saturday, which would officially knock out the loser of that contest.

The picture could become a lot clearer after the conclusion of this weekend’s game. The championship game is scheduled for December 5 at 5 pm PT on FOX. 

Throwback to the Classics

San Diego State is celebrating its final home game of the regular season with a “Throwback to the Classics” theme on Saturday night. 

No, this does not include throwback uniforms. 

Instead, it refers to special ticket and concession pricing in line with the days of yesterday. 

https://x.com/AztecFB/status/1990189920665887012

Tickets as low as $27 are available for purchase, while hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and soda can be purchased for $2 to $4. A beer, though, will still cost a purchaser $10 for a 12-oz pour. 

In addition to the special promotion, football and basketball season ticket holders were sent emails this week with the opportunity to grab two free tickets to the game. 

Senior Night

As tradition on the final home game of the season, the Aztecs will honor their seniors before the contest against San Jose State on Saturday night. The roster lists 27 seniors. Two seniors, Deshawn McCuin and Bryce Phillips, participated in Senior Night activities last season before an additional year of eligibility was granted to them to return for one more season. 

There could be some juniors who will graduate in the spring that may decide to partake in Senior Night in the event they do not return to the team next year. 

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.