SAN DIEGO, CAL- San Diego State delivered one of its most complete performances of the season on October 3, defeating Colorado State 45–24 at Snapdragon Stadium. Behind a balanced offense and a strong defensive effort, the Aztecs improved to 4–1 overall and opened Mountain West play with authority.
The Aztecs came out firing early. Quarterback Jayden Denegal looked sharp from the start, connecting with Donovan Brown on a 45-yard touchdown strike midway through the first quarter to open the scoring. The drive — just five plays, 82 yards — showcased the big-play ability that head coach Sean Lewis has been waiting to see from his offense.
San Diego State kept the pressure on into the second quarter. A steady 13-play drive ended with Christian Washington punching in a 2-yard touchdown to make it 14–0. The Rams tried to swing momentum back their way when quarterback Jackson Brousseau found Armani Winfield for a 49-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 14–7.But the Aztecs’ offense didn’t flinch. Denegal responded with a quick-hitting drive capped by Lucky Sutton’s first touchdown of the night. After another defensive stop, Denegal connected deep with Jordan Napier for a 61-yard gain, setting up a 14-yard Sutton run that pushed the lead to 28–10 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Gabriel Plascencia drilled a 53-yard field goal to extend the advantage. The defense then forced another Colorado State punt, and Sutton capitalized again with a 1-yard touchdown plunge — his third score of the night — giving San Diego State a commanding 38–10 lead.
The Rams managed a brief rally behind Brousseau’s short rushing touchdown and two-point conversion, trimming it to 38–18. But the Aztecs’ ground game continued to dominate, this time behind Byron Cardwell Jr., who broke free for a 20-yard touchdown to seal the game at 45–18. A late Rams touchdown only softened the margin, with the final score standing at 45–24.Denegal finished an efficient 13 of 16 passing for 256 yards and two touchdowns, while Napier turned in a career night with seven receptions for 153 yards and a score. On the ground, San Diego State was unstoppable — Sutton ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns, and Cardwell added 129 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Aztecs limited Colorado State’s rushing attack and forced two turnovers, setting the tone for a dominant night on both sides of the ball.
“This was the kind of complete effort we’ve been looking for,” Lewis said after the game. “The offense played fast, the defense forced stops, and the energy on the sideline was incredible. That’s Aztec football.”
The win marked San Diego State’s fourth straight victory and their first 500-yard offensive outing since 2020 — a statement performance as they head deeper into Mountain West play.Next up, the Aztecs will travel to face a tough Utah State team, while Colorado State returns home searching for answers after dropping to 2–3.
Final Score: San Diego State 45, Colorado State 24.
