SAN DIEGO – Juwan Washington rushed for 156 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, as San Diego State rallied for a 28-14 triumph over Sacramento State on Saturday night before a crowd of 45,755 at SDCCU Stadium.
Washington, who also finished with a personal-best 36 carries, posted two of his scores in the final four minutes and change to help the Aztecs (1-1) capture their fifth straight home opener and win for the ninth time in their last 10 September games.
SDSU was forced to overcome the loss of starting quarterback Christian Chapman, who completed 6-of-11 passes for 112 yards before leaving with 4:47 left in the second quarter due to a knee injury. Backup Ryan Agnew took over for the rest of the game, recording 159 yards on 11-for-17 passing – all career highs.
Trailing 14-13 at the 9:18 mark of the fourth quarter, Agnew directed the Aztecs on a 13-play, 82-yard scoring drive, punctuated by Washington's four-yard scamper into the end zone. Moments later, Agnew hit tight end Parker Houston for a two-point conversion that put the host school up for good 21-14 with 4:05 to go.
Earlier in the drive, the Aztecs converted a critical 4th-and-9 play, as Agnew hooked up with a diving Ethan Dedeaux for a 15-yard completion that gave the Scarlet and Black a first down at the Hornet 23. Washington carried the ball on the next four plays, starting with a 14-yard sweep around the left side to put SDSU within striking distance.
The Aztec defense displayed its mettle on the ensuing possession, sacking Sacramento State quarterback Kevin Thomson on two occasions, including one by Kyahva Tezino on a 4th-and-3 situation that gave the ball back to SDSU on the Hornet 25 with 2:57 to go. On the second play after the possession change, Washington hit pay dirt with a 20-yard burst up the middle that put the game out of reach.
Earlier in the first quarter, San Diego State opened the scoring on its second drive of the contest, marching 69 yards in nine plays, with Washington darting in from five yards out to provide the Aztecs a 7-0 edge at the 4:39 mark. SDSU overcame an 11-yard sack and an ineligible receiver penalty, as Washington uncorked a 30-yard run on a 2nd-and-26 situation to give the Aztecs a first down at the Sacramento State 18.
SDSU extended its advantage to 10-0 early in the second quarter, capitalizing on a short Hornet punt after John Baron drilled a career-long 52-yard field goal, which is tied for the eight-longest in program history.
Sacramento State responded with their longest foray of the game, consuming 7:26 of the clock before BJ Perkinson capped the 14-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge, which narrowed the gap to 10-7 at the 6:07 mark.
The Aztecs salvaged another field goal on their next drive, as Chapman exited after two plays. On his first snap of the night, Agnew completed a 13-yard pass to Dedeaux and later flashed his mobility with 14-yard scramble down the left sideline on a 3rd-and-6 play. The march stalled at this juncture, but Baron split the uprights from 32 yards out to give the host a 13-7 cushion heading into the locker room.
SDSU had things rolling on its first possession of the second half, advancing to the Hornet 30 before committing its first offensive turnover of the season. On first down, Washington was dropped for a six-yard loss, while a deflected Agnew pass soon found its way into the waiting arms of Mister Harriel, who returned the ball 20 yards to the Sacramento State 36.
The Hornets wasted no time cashing in the opportunity, as Thomson found a wide-open Perkinson, who streaked past the Aztec defense for a 64-yard touchdown reception on the first play after the interception, giving the visitors their first lead of the night at 14-13 with just under nine minutes remaining in the period.
The Aztecs were plagued by two costly penalties on their ensuing possession, as a holding infraction wiped out a 35-yard completion to Tim Wilson Jr., while an ineligible downfield receiver negated another 35-yard reception on a sideline route by Trevillion, which would have given SDSU a first down at the Sacramento State 17.
Harriel snuffed out another promising Aztec drive early in the fourth quarter, corralling his second interception of the night at the Hornet 14 with 3:44 elapsed in the period.
Sacramento State managed two first downs after the turnover, but were forced to punt from the SDSU 42, which set the stage for the Aztecs' go-ahead drive.
For the second straight game, SDSU had its run defense clicking, as the Hornets were held to just 53 yards on the ground. Tezino and Kyree Woods led the Aztec charge with seven tackles apiece, while Parker Baldwin, Trenton Thompson, Ron Smith and Ronley Lakalaka finished with six stops each.
Dedeaux led the receiving corps with six catches for 90 yards, while Wilson and Kahale Warring had three grabs apiece in the victory.
SDSU outgained Sacramento State 429-234 and maintained a 12-minute edge in time of possession (36:02-23:58), improving to 27-2 in the last 29 games when holding the ball longer that its opponent.
THE NOTE
Washington did a majority of his damage in the fourth quarter as the junior carried 12 times for 84 yards and had two rushing touchdowns in the final 15 minutes of the game.
THE NOTE II
San Diego State's rally marked the 18th time the Aztecs have overcome a second-half deficit to win since Rocky Long took over as head coach in 2011.
THE QUOTE
"I give our kids credit for being tough enough and hanging in there long enough to find a way to win the game and that's the ultimate goal is to win, and guess what, we won," SDSU coach Rocky Long said.
UP NEXT
San Diego State plays the second of three consecutive home games next Saturday when the Aztecs face Arizona State (2-0). The Sun Devils defeated No. 15/13 Michigan State, 16-13,