San Diego State Dominates Nevada with 44-10 Victory

In a commanding performance, San Diego State triumphed over Nevada with a score of 44-10 on October 7, 2023. Quarterback Jayden Denegal led the Aztecs, completing 14 of 17 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, marking their fourth consecutive win. This victory improves San Diego State’s record to 5-1 overall, and 2-0 in the Mountain West Conference.

Early Dominance Sets the Tone

The game began with a swift response from San Diego State after Nevada’s opening drive resulted in a quick three-and-out. Just 59 seconds into the match, Jordan Napier electrified the crowd by returning a punt 75 yards for a touchdown. This early score established a momentum that the Aztecs would maintain throughout the game.

Defensively, Chris Johnson added to the excitement with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0 by the end of the first quarter. The Aztecs continued to press their advantage, and Denegal connected with Christian Washington for a 2-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. He followed this up with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Bostick, bringing the score to 28-0 with 9:05 remaining in the half.

Defensive Strength and Special Teams Shine

As the first half drew to a close, Lucky Sutton capped off a dominant performance with a 3-yard touchdown run, making it 35-0 just before halftime. The Aztecs’ special teams also played a pivotal role, with senior Gabriel Plascencia successfully kicking field goals from 21, 45, and 49 yards. Plascencia is currently enjoying a perfect season, converting all 10 of his attempts and extending his streak to 22 consecutive field goals, a record in the conference and the longest active streak in Division I.

Head coach Sean Lewis expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, highlighting their ability to put together a complete game. He noted the strength of their offensive line and the talent in their running back group, which has contributed to their recent success.

Despite the lopsided score, the game included a notable incident when San Diego State’s Brady Anderson was ejected with just over four minutes left for hitting a defenseless player, which highlighted the physical nature of the contest.

Nevada finally made their mark on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with a 34-yard field goal by Joe McFadden and a 16-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Carter Jones to Marshaun Brown. Jones, making his first career start, finished the game with 177 passing yards but struggled with two interceptions.

As San Diego State gears up for a bye week, they will next face their rival, Fresno State, on October 25, 2023. The Aztecs will be looking to maintain their winning streak and solidify their standing in the Mountain West Conference.