Aztecs capture Old Oil Can rivalry trophy with last-minute 26-23 thriller over Fresno State 

By Josh Frojelin

San Diego State University’s football team has overcome a mumps outbreak, significant injuries, and more this season. Saturday night against Fresno State University, the Aztecs  were faced with starting quarterback Jayden Denegal, in his best start in a month, going out with injury.

Backup quarterback Stone Saunders had to enter in relief after battling back from his own injury over the last few weeks.

It didn’t look good, but the hosts persevered to retain bragging rights to the Old Oil Can rivalry trophy with a hard-fought 26-23 victory that earned them a 2-1 Pac-12 record.

“We’ve had a lot of adversity throughout the year with multiple players, multiple starters coming down, and we had to focus on what we had to focus on, and that was to get this win to bring back the Old Oil Can,” said running back Lucky Sutton. “… I remember speaking to the O-line. It was like, ‘we have to put this game on our back. We have to go make sure we’re delivering so we can finish this game out.’”

When Saunders entered the game, the Aztecs had a 13-3 lead. Running backs Sutton and Javion Kinnard (14 carries, 77 yards) were fully healthy and playing well, and wide receiver Jaylon Hawkins (six catches, 84 yards) was an impactful deep threat. Saunders’ first play was a muffed snap that was recovered by the Bulldogs.

Fresno State took advantage and finished two of its next three possessions in the end zone. The Bulldogs (1-2 in Pac-12, 4-3 overall) and Aztecs (3-4 overall) traded scores throughout the third and fourth quarters. Sutton (18 carries, 110 yards) broke off a 67-yard run and Jordan Napier (three catches, 53 yards) sealed the drive with a seven-yard touchdown catch from receiver Bert Emanuel Jr to give the Aztecs a 23-17 lead.

Hawkins showed his breakaway speed with a 52-yard sideline catch-and-carry that gave SDSU an early 10-0 lead in front of 21,847 fans at Snapdragon Stadium.

“It’s really good to have one of the best running backs in the country back,” head coach Sean Lewis said. “(Sutton) finished with over six yards (per) carry. Having a guy like him makes you look a little bit better as a play caller.”

The Aztecs’ defense gave up several big passes during the prior week’s 66-14 loss at Oregon State University, but responded against another formidable passing attack in the Bulldogs. Kai Wallin was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after registering three sacks.

But Fresno State broke through again with a late fourth quarter touchdown. But a missed extra point kept the game at 23-23.

Saunders led SDSU down the field, but the running game fell flat and Lewis sent out kicker Cooper DiLiva to kick a career-long 53-yard field goal after missing earlier in the game.

“After that miss, I came back to the sideline, watched it, thought about it for 30 seconds, erased it from my head, and then when I knew that we were driving down the field with an opportunity to win the game,” said DiLeva, named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week, who kicked four field goals in the game. “… I wanted the deep one. I wanted something that matters, and it did.”

His kick gave the Aztecs a three-point lead with 57 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs had no more timeouts. Wallin registered his third sack on that drive, and Fresno State eventually turned the ball over on downs.

“Couldn’t be prouder,” Lewis said. “Sitting here 2-1 (in conference) with everything ahead of us to play for in the Pac-12. (I’m) really proud of where we’re at as a program.”

The Aztecs have now won the last three “Old Oil Can” rivalry games, undefeated under Lewis.

Next, SDSU will try to pick up another win against Colorado State University in Fort Collins on Saturday. The Rams (2-4 overall) are 0-2 in conference play and on a four-game losing streak.

Notepad
Tano Letuli keyed the Aztecs with 11 tackles and tacked on one sack. SDSU registered six sacks overall and seven tackles for losses. Jelani Whitmore recovered a fumble. 

DeLiva spliht the uprights from 32, 30, 40 and 53 yards. He missed from 43 in the third quarter,

Emanuel logged 12 rushing yards, seven passing yards and 34 receiving yards.

Hawkins returned three kickoffs for 54 yards.

Photos/Phillip Brents

SDSU players showcase the Old Oil Can rivalry trophy to fans.

SDSU’s Jordan Napier slips just inside the pylon to score a fourth-quarter touchdown to put the Aztecs ahead 23-17 in last Saturday’s Pac-12 game against the visiting Fresno State Bulldogs.

HOMECOMING PHOTO GALLERY BY PHILLIP BRENTS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL LOG

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

National Southern
Conference/Overall

W-L W-L
Riverside 4-0 7-0
Saddleback 3-1 6-1
Southwestern 3-1 6-1
Chaffey 2-2 5-2
San Diego Mesa 2-2 5-2
El Camino 1-3 3-4
Palomar 1-3 3-4
Mt. San Jacinto 0-4 2-5

Saturday, Oct. 17
SDSU 26, Fresno State 23
Saddleback 30, SD Mesa 27 (OT)
Palomar 24, El Camino 21
Chaffey 30, Mt. San Jacinto 24

American Pacific
Conference/Overall

W-L W-L
Grossmont 3-0 6-2
San Bernardino Valley 2-0 6-1
Santa Monica 2-1 6-2
Glendale 2-2 5-3
West LA 1-2 3-4
LA Pierce 0-5 0-10

Pac-12
Conference/Overall

W-L W-L
Oregon State 3-0 5-2
Boise State 2-0 5-1
SDSU 2-1 3-4
Texas State 1-1 3-1
Utah State 1-1 2-4
Fresno State 1-2 4-3
Colorado State 0-2 2-4
Washington State 0-3 1-6