Aztecs suffer third straight loss in ugly performance against Toledo
The Aztecs (1-3) spoke heavily throughout the week about not letting the results (two-game losing streak) impact their process for development and preparation.
It will only get tougher now that the losing streak has reached three games after a dreadful 41-16 loss at Toledo (3-1) on Saturday.
John Alan Richter threw for 284 yards (16/22) and three touchdowns for the Rockets. Bryson Hammer was his favorite target, catching six passes for 133 yards and two scores.
Jayden Denegal’s day was nowhere near as good, and he continues a three-game trend where he is unable to direct the offense with any consistency. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 206 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Adding to the offense’s struggles were star RBs Lucky Sutton and Javion Kinnard being helped off the field by trainers with injuries and not returning.
After not scoring a point in the first half for the last two games, the Aztecs took the opening drive down the field and scored on a 25-yard field goal by Cooper DiLeva. The 10-play, 68-yard drive included three receptions by TE Jackson Ford (5 rec, 35 yds) on the first three plays of the game after only having one entering the game. Denegal looked confident and made quick decisions, looking comfortable in the pocket.
That did not continue.
The offense didn’t score another point until 20 seconds remained in the third quarter.
The game was close for the majority of the first half, with Toledo hanging on to a 10-3 lead late in the first half. Against one of the most explosive offenses in FBS, the SDSU defense held Toledo in check through 28 minutes. 
Unfortunately, things went south quickly after that. From the 1:44 mark of the second quarter to the 6:34 mark of the third quarter (10:10 of game clock), the Rockets scored 24 unanswered points to extend their lead to 34-3.
The onslaught started with a 78-yard touchdown pass to Hammer, who found himself wide open down the middle of the field and outraced the Aztecs’ defenders most of the way to the end zone.
Sean Lewis tried to get some momentum back to start the second half by attempting an onside kick, but it was unsuccessful. Richter found Hammer on the first play after the onside kick for a 38-yard touchdown.
The Rockets added a 49-yard field goal five minutes into the second half.
The final nail in the coffin came from the Rockets’ defense just when it seemed the Aztecs’ offense had shown some life. Denegal threw a short slant attempt to Donovan Brown, but LB Isaac Zay (8 tackles, 1 sack) stepped in front of it to pick it off and return it 67 yards for the score.
Armorion Smith led the Rockets with 11 tackles and two pass breakups. He also added 0.5 sacks.
The Aztecs’ defense did not record a sack. Josh Hunter and Sione Hala led the team with eight tackles each.
The Rockets outgained the Aztecs 494 to 296.
Given the injuries to Kinnard and Sutton, the Aztecs only rushed for 48 yards.
Backup QB Draiden Trudeau (4/5, 53 yds) threw his first career touchdown, connecting with Jaylon Hawkins for a 14-yd pass late in the game.
The Aztecs return home to open Pac-12 Conference play against Texas State next Saturday. Kickoff is at 7:30 pm at Snapdragon Stadium.
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.