Hawaii vs. San Diego State: Aztecs Hang On For 16-14 Win
San Diego State Held On For The Win
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Late-game heroics for SDSU
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San Diego State moved to a 3-3 record following Saturday’s 16-14 win over Hawaii at Snapdragon Stadium. With the win, the Aztecs attained it’s first conference win of the season.
The game came down to the wire and it nearly went in the wrong direction for San Diego State. It was a win that kept San Diego State’s hopes at winning a Mountain West Championship alive in 2022.
San Diego State’s offense had a big question mark heading into this game. As it played out, San Diego State safety Jalen Mayden made the switch from defense to offense and started the game at quarterback for the Aztecs. The Aztecs did not have a trusted quarterback in place, which was why Mayden started the game.
It was a low-scoring battle for most of the first half. San Diego State kicker Jack Browning put his team on the board with a 45-yard field goal. The kick gave San Diego State a 3-0 lead at halftime.
With 10:53 left in the third quarter, Mayden threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Byrd. That score put the Aztecs ahead by 10 points, 10-0. The Aztecs had control, but Hawaii stormed back with a 66-yard touchdown for Hawaii wide receiver Zion Bowens on the next possession. San Diego State’s lead was cut to three points, 10-7.
Browning added an additional three points to the lead within the first minute of the fourth quarter. The 13-7 lead was secured for most of the fourth quarter. The game nearly came crashing down for San Diego State when Hawaii compiled an 80-yard drive in the final two minutes of the game. Dedrick Parson had a 22-yard touchdown run that gave Hawaii it’s first advantage of the game. The Rainbow Warriors took a 14-13 lead at the 1:19 mark in the final quarter.
Once again, Mayden and the Aztec offense worked the ball down the field in the final minute. The clutch drive was capped off with a game-winning field goal from 26 yards, which ultimately won the game for San Diego State, 16-14.
That field goal saved a potentially disastrous collapse for the Aztecs. The end of the fourth quarter was rocky, but San Diego State held on for an important win. Mayden’s play at quarterback was a major reason why San Diego State was in a position to win the game. He passed for 322 yards and one touchdown. Last week, he played safety against Boise State.
The Aztecs will be off next week and will return in two weeks in Reno against Nevada. San Diego State will try to have a cleaner finish to the next game.