SAN DIEGO – San Diego State had its three-game winning streak halted on Saturday after dropping a 23-17 decision to Utah State in the Mountain West opener for both teams at SDCCU Stadium.
Despite maintaining a sizeable advantage in time of possession (36:55-23:05) and a slight edge in first downs (25-23), the Aztecs were unable to overcome a 23-3 deficit, falling for just the second time in 14 all-time meetings vs. the Aggies (2-1, 1-0 MW).
Ryan Agnew completed 20 of 37 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns but threw a costly pick-six on SDSU's second possession of the game, forcing the Scarlet and Black to play catch-up for the remainder of the contest.
Still, the Aztecs (3-1, 0-1 MW) had a chance to win late, scoring a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns on fourth-down plays before their final drive was snuffed out.
San Diego State looked to establish control early from the opening kickoff, marching 70 yards in 16 plays to the Utah State 5 before settling for a 22-yard Matt Araiza field goal at the 7:18 mark of the first quarter.
SDSU converted a pair of key third downs on the drive, with Agnew hitting Elijah Kothe for 15 yards, while Ethan Dedeaux hauled in another 12-yard reception moments later. A face mask penalty on the latter play, followed by three straight Chance Bell carries, provided the Aztecs a first-and-goal at the Aggie 9. However, two more runs gained just four yards, while Agnew's pass to Kothe in the left corner of the end zone on third down was off target. Araiza was then summoned to salvage some points, giving the Aztecs their only lead of the contest at 3-0.
SDSU got the ball back after forcing a quick three-and-out, setting up shop at its own 36. Just three plays later, however, USU's Shaq Bond intercepted an Agnew pass and cut across the field through a swarm of would-be tacklers, sprinting down the left sideline into the end zone to put the visitors on top 7-3 with 6:55 to go in the opening period.
The Aggies increased their advantage to 13-3 in the second quarter on a pair of field goals by Dominik Eberle, who split the uprights from 30 and 29 yards out, respectively.
With halftime rapidly approaching, Utah State regained possession once again after yielding just one first down on the Aztecs' ensuing drive. The Aggies needed just 44 seconds to cover 70 yards in seven plays, capped by Jaylin Warren's 11-yard burst into the end zone that upped the margin to 20-3. Earlier, USU converted a pivotal 3rd-and-10 situation, as quarterback Jordan Love hit Savon Scarver for a 48-yard gain down to the SDSU 20.
Incredibly, the Aztecs for more than twice as long as their opponent (20:16-9:44) but still trailed by 17 points heading into the locker room.
USU took the opening kickoff of the second half and advanced to the Aztec 15 before Eberle kicked a 32-yard field goal to give the Aggies a seemingly comfortable 23-3 cushion with just over four minutes elapsed in the third quarter.
SDSU drove 55 yards on 13 plays to the Aggie 5 on its first possession of the half but came up empty after Agnew was sacked for a nine-yard loss on third down, while his subsequent pass to Dedeaux in the end zone fell incomplete.
Unfazed, the Aztecs began their belated comeback attempt with another lengthy 79-yard march early in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't easy. The Scarlet and Black had to overcome a holding penalty and a sack to put itself in position to score. Facing a 3rd and 27 from the Aggie 36, Agnew completed a 11-yard strike to Jasmin before buying enough time on a subsequent scramble to find a wide-open Kobe Smith for a 25-yard touchdown pass that trimmed the deficit to 23-10.
San Diego State ceded just one first down on the next Utah State drive before getting the ball back at its own nine-yard line following a punt with 8:22 left in the game. From there Agnew quickly went to work, connecting with Smith for 20 yards, while Jesse Matthews made a circus catch for another 20 yards just two plays later. Facing a 4th and 5 shortly thereafter, Isaiah Richardson got behind the Aggie secondary for an electrifying 49-yard touchdown reception, which suddenly tightened the score to 23-17 with 5:14 remaining.
USU had a chance to ice the game; however, Eberle's 42-yard field goal sailed wide right, giving the Aztecs one last shot with 1:18 to go.
SDSU gained 14 yards Smith's first-down reception but after three straight incompletions, the Aztecs turned the ball over on an intentional grounding play that dashed their comeback hopes.
Smith finished with seven catches for 102 yards, including his touchdown grab, while Bell gained 63 yards on 18 carries to pace the Aztec ground game.
On the other side of the ball, Darren Hall led the Scarlet and Black with nine tackles, including seven solo stops, while Kyahva Tezino made eight tackles of his own.
Conversely, the Aggies were paced by Love's 293 yards on 30-for-47 passing, while Warren finished with 74 yards rushing on 17 attempts. In addition, Siaosi Mariner total seven receptions for 74 yards, while Scarver had five grabs for 90 yards in the win.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs will have a bye week before traveling to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains to face Colorado State on Saturday, Oct. 5.