CARSON, Calif. – San Diego State struck for two long touchdown runs and converted three turnovers into 17 additional points in a 34-10 triumph over Hawai'i on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Buoyed by Greg Bell's career-high 160 yards rushing on 19 carries, the Aztecs maintained a 326-66 advantage on the ground, while an opportunistic defense recorded seven sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception.
With the victory, SDSU snapped a two-game losing streak to the Rainbow Warriors, raising its record to 3-1 on the year. The Aztecs are off to a 3-1 start for the third consecutive season and have advanced to a bowl game five straight times when beginning a season with that record. Meanwhile, UH drops to 2-2 overall.
The teams exchanged punts on the first six possessions of the game before SDSU registered two quick scores to build a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter.
After netting just 47 yards on their first three drives, the Aztecs' fourth march of the game began just as inauspiciously with an incomplete pass. However, Jordan Byrd provided an immediate spark, breaking free for a 51-yard touchdown run down the left sideline, which gave the hosts a 7-0 advantage at the 3:26 mark of the opening period.
The Rainbow Warriors punted deep into SDSU territory on their ensuing series, but Jesse Matthews got the Scarlet and Black out of a hole with a 29-yard return to the Aztec 38. Moments later on the very first snap, Bell juked left before cutting back inside through a gaping hole, outracing the UH defense to the end zone on a 62-yard scamper that doubled the margin to 14-0.
With nearly three minutes elapsed in the second quarter, SDSU caught another break when Kyron White forced a fumble on Melquise Stovall's punt return deep in Rainbow territory, with Andrew Alves grabbing the loose ball at the Hawai'i 13. Three plays later, Bell plowed his way up the middle for his second touchdown to up the Aztec advantage to 21-0.
SDSU crossed the midfield stripe on its next possession, but Michael Washington intercepted Carson Baker's deep pass at the 16.
Following the turnover, Hawai'i engineered its most productive drive of the half, marching 49 yards in 10 plays while consuming 4:17 on the clock. However, on 3rd-and-10 from the Aztec 35, Segun Olubi stepped in front of a Chevan Cordeiro pass over the middle intended for Miles Reed and sprinted 71 yards down the left sideline untouched to give the Scarlet and Black a commanding 28-0 lead by intermission.
The Rainbows finally dented the scoreboard at the 5:13 mark of the third quarter when Matthew Shipley connected on a 27-yard field goal, atoning for a miss from 42 yards out earlier in the period. UH moved 50 yards in 10 plays for the score, with Cordeiro hooking up with Aaron Cephus for a 29-yard completion on 3rd-and-10 to keep the drive alive.
SDSU answered with a 27-yard field goal of its own by Matt Araiza early in the fourth quarter after pouncing on a loose football deep in Hawai'i territory. Previously, Caden McDonald forced a fumble after sacking Cordeiro, while Keshawn Banks made the recovery at the Rainbow 17. The Aztecs were then stymied after the turnover before settling for the three points.
Hawai'i scored its lone touchdown on the second play of the following series, with Calvin Turner busting loose for 75-yard score after catching a short pass from Cordeiro, which narrowed the gap to 31-10.
Lucas Johnson took over for Carson Baker at this juncture and directed a lengthy 16-play, 57-drive that chewed up over nine minutes on the clock, punctuated by Araiza's 36-yard field goal with 2:59 left to play. Johnson showed off his mobility with 51 rushing yards during the series.
San Diego State's seven sacks equaled its highest total in a game since its victory over Houston in the 2016 Las Vegas Bowl, as McDonald and Jonah Tavai recorded two apiece.
McDonald shared the team lead with seven tackles, including three for a loss, joining Seyddrick Lakalaka and Tariq Thompson. Thompson posted five solo stops along with Andrew Aleki.
San Diego State hits the road next weekend when it tackles Nevada on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Mackay Stadium in Reno. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network.