The San Diego State University football team appears to have put last season’s 3-9 record and season-ending six-game losing streak behind it.
Well behind it, in fact.
The Aztecs improved to 5-1 on the season – the team’s best start since a season-opening 7-0 run in 2021 — following Saturday’s 44-10 Mountain West Conference win at the University of Nevada-Reno.
SDSU built a commanding 44-0 lead in the road victory to improve to 2-0 in conference play and extend its winning streak to four games.
“I thought we did a great job in all three phases, starting fast and really jumping on the opponent early, which was great to see,” Aztec head coach Sean Lewis said.
“Was able to put together, for the most part, a complete effort. We need to do a good job finishing. I thought our focus waned yet again a little bit down the stretch, and that’s a lesson that we need to learn how to close out games appropriately, and that’s something that we’ll stress as we move forward.
“But a great first half of the season, obviously sitting in an advantageous spot. The guys have done great work with that, and realize, as we refocus here, that there’s still so much more to go ahead.”
Lewis said the focus during this week’s bye week is to “improve as much as we possibly can as we continue to climb, as we go forward.”
UNLV (6-0) and Boise State (4-2) are both 2-0 in conference play along with SDSU while Fresno State (5-2) and Hawaii (5-2) are both 2-1 in MW games. Four teams are 1-1 in conference: Wyoming (3-3), Utah State (3-3), Colorado State (2-4) and San Jose State (2-4).
Three teams are winless: New Mexico (0-2, 3-3), Nevada (0-2, 1-5) and Air Force (0-4, 1-5).
The Aztecs have six conference games left on their regular season schedule and the competition should prove a little more challenging the second half of the season. SDSU plays at Fresno State on Oct. 25, hosts Wyoming on Nov. 1, plays at Hawaii on Nov. 8, hosts Boise State on Nov. 15 and San Jose State on Nov. 22, and plays at New Mexico on Nov. 28.
The conference championship game is slated Dec. 5.
The 2021 SDSU team set a program record with 12 wins as part of a 12-2 campaign and No. 25 AP Top 25 Poll rankings.
There’s more positive numbers: After starting 2-0 in conference play, the Aztecs won MW titles in both 2015 and 2016.
Just how far can this year’s team go?
“We’re a good team that had a bad night (losing 36-13 at Washington State), and people are questioning, do you still believe?” Lewis said. “Absolutely. I have the utmost confidence in this team.
Tremendous belief in this team, and nothing that has transpired has surprised me because of the work that’s been done by the kids and our staff and the community, the way that they’ve supported us all the way through.”
The Aztecs had a punt return for a touchdown (Jordan Napier, 75 yards) and an interception return for a touchdown (Chris Johnson) in the same game for the first time since Nov. 23, 2013 against Boise State.
SDSU ran out of the gate with five first-half touchdowns: two passing, one of special teams, one on defense and one rushing.
The Aztecs led 14-0 just 2:06 into the contest.
Quarterback Jayden Denegal, supported by a great effort by the offensive line, completed 14 of 17 passing attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns with one sack.
Helix Charter alum Christian Washington recorded the first receiving touchdown of his career and third TD this season. He finished the game with 76 all-purpose yards — 51 rushing, two receiving and 23 on kick returns.
Napier hauled in five passes for 110 yards and tacked on 85 yards in punt returns for 195 all-purpose yards. He logged 68 yards-after-catch.
Lucky Sutton (Cathedral Catholic) had 16 carries for 76 net yards to key the Aztec rushing attack that featured a robust 206 yards. Denegal had 41 net yards on four carries while Byron Cardwell (Morse) had 41 net yards on nine carries
Donovan Brown had four catches for 58 yards, including 23 yards-after-catch.
Gabe Plascencia did all the scoring for the SoCal visitors in the second half on the strength of three field goals (a career high in one game). He split the uprights from 21, 45 and 49 yards.
The Wolf Pack closed out scoring with a 34-yard field goal by Joe McFadden and a 16-yard pass from quarterback Carter Jones to Marshaun Brown.
Nevada was held to 77 net rushing yards and 177 passing yards with two sacks and two interceptions.
Dwayne McDougle matched Johnson with a pick while Trey White (Eastlake) and Ryan Henderson both notched sacks. White matched teammate Dalesean Staley with a team-leading six tackles.
White now has 4.5 sacks for the season and 17 for his career. Sutton has scored six touchdowns this season.
JC notepad
Grossmont College kicked off American Pacific play on Saturday with a 14-13 loss to visiting West L.A. Devin Caminong (31-yard pass from Melvin Spicer) and Ayden Billups (10-yard pass from Spicer) each had touchdowns for the Griffins (4-2 overall).
