FRESNO, Cal- In a statement performance on the road, San Diego State crushed Fresno State 23-0 at Valley Children’s Stadium, handing the Bulldogs their first home shutout loss in 45 years and proving once again that this Aztec squad is peaking at the right time.
From the opening possession the Aztecs showed a physical edge, particularly in the trenches and in the running game. Running back Lucky Sutton led the way with a bruising 131-yard performance and the game’s only offensive touchdown, a 1-yard plunge late in the first quarter. Quarterback Jayden Denegal managed the game efficiently — finishing 11-of-19 passing for 124 yards, and adding 30 yards on the ground — while the Aztecs piled up 208 rushing yards, their backs setting the tone early. Meanwhile the Bulldogs were held to just 45 rushing yards on 23 carries. Fresno State struggled in every facet — the offense could not generate a big play (their longest gain was under 15 yards), and turnovers reared up in the second half.
Despite the Aztecs opening the second half without a touchdown, they chipped away with three field goals from Gabriel Plascencia, including a 50-yard bomb, to widen the lead and keep Fresno grounded. On the defensive side, the star turn came from linebacker Tano Letuli, who intercepted Fresno’s QB Carson Conklin midway through the fourth quarter and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown — a definitive dagger that underscored the Bulldogs’ woes. With the Aztecs’ front-seven controlling the line of scrimmage, Fresno’s offense was unable to build sustainable drives, finish third-down conversions, or even generate field-position advantage.
San Diego State will carry this momentum into upcoming conference matchups with confidence in both their offensive foundation and defensive toughness. The challenge will be maintaining consistency and avoiding let-downs as the season progresses.Fresno State, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. The coaches will have to find answers on offense — especially for big-play creation and turnover avoidance — if the Bulldogs hope to salvage their season.
Final Score: San Diego State 23, Fresno State 0..
