LOGAN, Utah -- San Diego State pulled away in the second half with the final 28 points of the game in a 38-7 win over Utah State Saturday night in Logan, Utah.
Greg Bell ran for a career-high 157 yards and a touchdown and added a 29-yard touchdown reception for the Aztecs (2-0, 2-0 MW), which racked up 407 yards on the ground.
Up 10-7 at the half after an Aggies' (0-2, 0-2 MW) 37-yard touchdown pass with no time left in the second quarter, SDSU dominated the rest of the way, scoring on four consecutive drives and outgaining USU, 345-81, over the final 30 minutes, including a 199-6 advantage in the third quarter.
San Diego State took its opening drive of the second half 75 yards on 10 plays before Greg Bell muscled his way for a 6-yard score.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Aztecs went 68 yards in just six plays, culminating with a Chance Bell sweep right on a fourth-and-1 situation for a 27-yard score to open up a 24-7 lead.
Forcing another three-and-out, SDSU methodically drove 82 yards on 15 plays, ending with a Greg Bell catch and run from Carson Baker for 29 yards and his first career touchdown reception.
On SDSU's next possession, Jordan Byrd broke free for a 73-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring with 5:14 left in the fourth quarter.
Baker hit Kobe Smith for a 15-yard touchdown to get San Diego State on the scoreboard late in the first quarter.
Matt Araiza, who missed two field goals earlier in the first half, made it 10-0 Aztecs with a 28-yard field goal with 1:10 left in the first half.
Utah State, however, went 73 yards in just 1:01, ending with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Jason Shelley to Deven Thompkins with no time left in the second quarter. It was one of only three times in the game the Aggies would get into SDSU territory.
The 31-point loss was the Aggies' worst home loss to an unranked team since a 38-point setback to Hawai'i on Oct. 23, 2010.
San Diego State's 304-yard rushing margin (407-103) was the fifth-largest margin in program history. Additionally, the Aztecs improved to 46-2 the last 48 time they rushed for at least 200 yards.
Chance Bell added 98 yards on the ground in just 10 carries, while Byrd got all 73 yards on his only rushing attempt.
Baker completed 18 of 27 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, improving to 3-0 for his career as the team's starting quarterback.
Smith's six catches and 64 yards led SDSU, which improved to 2-0 for the fourth time in the last five seasons (2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020).
Andrew Aleki, Darren Hall and Tayler Hawkins led a balanced San Diego State defense with five tackles apiece. For the game, San Diego State limited USU to just 215 yards and forced three turnovers, including interceptions by Seyddrick Lakalaka and Rashad Scott, and a forced and recovered fumble by Michael Shawcroft.
It was the second straight game the Aztecs held their opponents to single-digits and the 17th time since the 2015 season (69 games).
Aztecs Dominate Aggies to Remain Unbeaten
