LAS VEGAS -- San Diego State jumped out to a 17-0 lead and held on after a late UNLV rally in a 20-17 win Saturday night in Las Vegas. The Aztecs, who led the entire game, improved to 7-1 on the season for just the second time in the last 42 years and 4-1 in Mountain West play.
Las Vegas native Ethan Dedeaux got SDSU on the scoreboard on a 49-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Ryan Agnew midway through the first quarter.
Later in the quarter after San Diego State backed the Rebels (2-6, 0-4 MW) back toward their goal line and force a Rebel punt, Trenton Thompson raced through the line and blocked Hayes Hicken's punt. The ball landed in the waiting arms of Caden McDonald in the end zone, giving the Aztecs a 14-0 lead at end of the first quarter. It was SDSU's second straight game with a non-offensive touchdown, 23rd in the Rocky Long era (since 2011) and 24th overall non-offensive score in the Long era.
After exchanging punts most of the second quarter, San Diego State put together a 9-play, 44-yard drive, culminating with a 25-yard field goal by Matt Araiza.
UNLV finally got on the scoreboard with 1:26 left in the half when Kenyon Oblad found Randal Grimes streaking down the sidelines for a 58-yard touchdown after Aztec All-America candidate Luq Barcoo slipped and fell down.
The Rebels put together a 13-play, 70-yard drive to begin the third quarter, but was halted at the SDSU 2-yard line when Thompson stuffed Charles Williams on a third-and-goal situation, making UNLV settle for a 22-yard field goal.
A few drives later, San Diego State went through the air to get deep into Rebel territory, but had to settle for a 34-yard field goal as time expired in the third quarter. On the drive, Aztec quarterback Ryan Agnew as 4-for-5 for 40 yards.
Down, 20-10, UNLV used a 12-play, 77-yard drive to get within three points with 5:57 to go when Oblad's 2-yard pass found Gio Fauolo for the touchdown.
SDSU went three-and-out on three straight rushes by Juwan Washington for nine yards, allowing the Rebels once last chance to mount a comeback. UNLV kept the drive going when Oblad found Grimes for 42 yards on a fourth-and-24 play. The Rebels got all the way to the San Diego State 25, setting up a 42-yard field goal attempt by Daniel Gutierrez. Gutierrez' try, however, hit the right upright, giving the Aztecs the victory.
Agnew was 14-for-23 for 185 yards and a touchdown, mostly going to Kobe Smith (seven receptions for 78 yards). Washington added 89 yards on the ground on 16 carries (5.6 avg.).
Thompson led SDSU in tackles for the first time of his career, totaling 12 stops, including two for a loss, and the blocked punt, while Kyahva Tezino added 10 tackles and a pair of quarterback hurries.
San Diego State won its fourth consecutive game and improved to 5-0 on the road, the only team in the country to own a 5-0 road record at the time.
Aztecs Are 7-1 After Downing Rebels
