SAN DIEGO -- The White team downed the Black squad, 15-0, in the annual San Diego State football spring game in front of over 1,500 fans Saturday afternoon at the Aztecs' practice facility.
The White squad, consisting mainly of the first-team offense (starting quarterback Ryan Agnew and starting running back Juwan Washington did not play) and the second-team defense, outgained the Black team, made up of mostly second-team offense and first-team defense, 253-33.
"I thought there was some really good things (that we did)," head coach Rocky Long said. "Obviously when we watch the film we might see some things we don't like. The score was 15-0, so one team had the advantage but I thought it was a pretty even scrimmage.
"Anytime you can practice and play at a high level of competition, which a scrimmage is - it's really live football - all of that helps you. But what you see out here is not what our team is going to look like because the team was divided in half. You're not seeing the people that are going to be starting or playing together in a game."
The White team got on the scoreboard in the first quarter after Will Stricklin II pounced on a bad snap, giving the offense the ball at the Black 21-yard line. Following a pass interference call that moved the White team to the 6, Chance Bell ran back-to-back plays, including a 3-yard touchdown run to make it a 6-0 game.
After the Black team failed to get a first down, the White team had a long 14-play drive. Myles Cheatum, however, sacked quarterback Mark Salazar on a fourth-and-8 situation on the Black 25, keeping it a one-score game.
Following another short series by the Black offense, the White team tried to add to its lead with just under 5 minutes remaining in the half. The White squad once again put together a 14-play drive, but a third-and-8 pass by Salazar was incomplete as time expired in the first half.
Starting with the ball in the third quarter, the White team picked up where it left off in the first half, mounting a 9-play drive and using the help of a pair of defensive penalties by the Black squad. The White team, however, had to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Matt Araiza to stretch its lead to 9-0.
After a three-and-out by the Black team, the White squad had arguably its best drive of the game, marching 75 yards on just eight plays to get into the end zone on an 18-yard pass by Carson Baker to Kobe Smith in the corner of the end zone. The duo connected earlier in the series on a 32-yard pass to get into Black territory.
The Black team was unable to mount any kind of threat the rest of the game, giving the White team the 15-0 win.
Chase Jasmin led the rushing attack with 65 yards on 16 carries for the White team, while Chance Bell rushed for 38 yards with a touchdown in 13 carries in snaps for both teams.
Baker threw for 96 yards and a touchdown, completing 8 of 15 attempts. Salazar, meanwhile, completed his first 10 passes of the game and finished 10-for-17 for 61 yards. Jordan Brookshire was 4-for-6 for 22 yards.
Smith led all receivers with four catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. Jesse Matthews (25 yards), Alex Wilson (23 yards) and Bell (nine yards) each recorded three receptions.
Darren Hall had a game-high eight tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, for the Black squad, while Tayler Hawkins, Caden McDonald (two TFL) and Dwayne Johnson Jr. added seven tackles apiece.
The White team was led defensively by Seyddrick Lakalaka, who had six tackles, including two for a loss of nine yards, and a 5-yard sack. Connor Mitchell matched Lakalaka with six stops, while adding a 5-yard sack (and TFL).
The Spring Game wraps up the third week of San Diego State's practice. The Aztecs are scheduled to practice the allowable 15 times this spring.
San Diego State finished the 2018 campaign with a 7-6 record, highlighted by wins over No. 23/25 Arizona State and rv/No. 24 Boise State. The Aztecs, who return their leading passer (Ryan Agnew), rusher (Juwan Washington) and tackler (Kyahva Tezino) from a year ago, are one of 14 teams to make a bowl game in nine consecutive seasons.
SDSU is accepting new account deposits on 2019 season tickets through the Aztec Ticket Office, while current season-ticket holders can also renew their tickets for the 2019 campaign. Fans can purchase tickets through GoAztecs.com, over the phone by calling (619) 283-7378, or by visiting SDCCU Stadium's Window E between 9 a.m. PT and 5 p.m. PT.
White Squad Wins Aztec Football Spring Game, 15-0
