SDSU Aztecs Fall 32-24 To USU Aggies In Double Overtime
San Diego State has now given up two straight critical games against underwhelming conference teams.
The Aztec Nation is bracing itself for the harsh reality that SDSU football may sustain its first losing season since 2009.
San Diego, CA- On Saturday evening, November 4th, the San Diego State Aztecs (3-6, 1-4 MW) suffered a 32-24 defeat against the Utah State Aggies (4-5, 2-3 MW) in double overtime at Snapdragon Stadium.
After its second straight home loss against a struggling team, SDSU is now bracing for its first losing season in fourteen years. Prior to the Rocky Long era, the last Aztecs head coach to deliver a losing result was in fact Brady Hoke during his first stint as Aztecs head coach.
GAME RECAP
SDSU hosted the Utah State Aggies in front of a reported crowd of 23,096 at 4:00 p.m. PST. Both teams began the match with identical season records, and both were under pressure to win in pursuit of bowl eligibility.
During the first quarter, potential points weren’t registered when kicker Jack Browning missed a 42-yard field goal attempt. After the scoreless first quarter, San Diego State came up with a touchdown in the second quarter when Jalen Mayden completed a nine-yard pass to Mark Redman and an extra point by Browning.
William Testa later managed a 24-yard field goal after the Aggies failed to score a touchdown, bringing the score to 7-3. A key play at four minutes before the half involved the Aztecs faking a field goal when holder Zecharia Ramirez passed the ball to kicker Browning who was ultimately tackled for a 2-yard loss resulting in a turnover on downs, with the score remaining 7-3 at the half.
In the third quarter, at 8:51 minutes Utah State quarterback Cooper Legas, connected with Jaylen Royals for touchdown giving the Aggies a 10-7 lead. In the fourth and final quarter, the Aggies scored another touchdown to bring the score to 17-7. At 7:10 to go, Mayden connected on a 10-yard pass to Kenan Christon for touchdown making it 17-14.
SDSU blocked an Aggies punt with 2:25 remaining, which gave the Aztecs one more chance with Browning making a 23-yard field goal with 33 seconds remaining in regulation to make it 17-17, moving things into overtime.
In overtime, Mayden connected with Brionne Penny in the end zone, to give San Diego State a 24-17 lead, but Utah State responded immediately with a touchdown in turn.
The Aggies then started with the ball in 2OT and running back Robert Briggs scored on a 20-yard run before teammate Broc Lane successfully pulled off the two-point conversion required after the first OT.
The Aztecs had one last chance with the next possession, however the game was sealed when Mayden threw an interception to Ike Larsen who went for 62 yards in 2OT.
Mayden was 25-for-39 passing for 265 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Lucky Sutton led the Aztecs in rushing with 11 carries for 86 yards. Christon had a team-high 76 receiving yards.
SDSU linebacker Cody Moon managed a season-high 13 tackles and teammate Zyrus Fiaseu had a career-high three sacks.
COACHING CONCERNS
Fans and foes alike recognize that Aztecs performance is not up to the San Diego State football standard this season, and arguably, last season. San Diego State’s stock is taking a hit after years of strong, steady progress leading to national recognition and belief that SDSU was a G5 standard bearer ready for the next level, along with the Aztecs’ Pac-12 results for much of the last decade.
Rocky Long had the Aztecs showing up inside the AP Top 25 on numerous occasions, however Brady Hoke has the Aztecs falling well outside of the G5 Top 25 currently.
Even worse: the Aztecs are in rare territory now.
Now, the Aztecs need to best Colorado State, San Jose State, and Fresno State to avoid a losing season and possibly extend its bowl eligibility for its 14th straight season. There was no bowl match during 2020, but the Aztecs did achieve eligibility that year.
One more loss gives the Aztecs their first losing season since the 2009 team went 4-8.
NEXT UP
On Saturday, November 11th, the SDSU Aztecs travel to Colorado State to face the Rams at 7pm, and Utah State hosts the Nevada Wolfpack at 3pm.
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