CARSON, Calif. – San Diego State overcame a sluggish first half to defeat New Mexico State 28-10 on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Aztecs erupted for 21 points in the third quarter to erase a 10-0 halftime deficit and capture their seventh straight season opener at home.
Greg Bell rushed for a career-high 161 yards on 21 attempts and one touchdown, while Jordan Byrd added 48 yards on just three carries and another score, as the Scarlet and Black gained 248 yards on the ground, improving to 48-2 all-time when rushing for 200 yards or more.
In the interim, Jordon Brookshire hit pay dirt on an 18-yard scramble, while Andrew Aleki intercepted a pass just three plays later and raced 25 yards into the end zone, helping to give San Diego State its ninth straight victory against the Aggies in program history and move to 11-1-1 in the series.
NM State's Jonah Johnson completed 34 of 56 passes for 326 yards but was intercepted three times against an Aztec defense that racked up five sacks, seven pass breakups and 10 tackles for loss.
Still, SDSU found itself on the wrong side of 10-0 score after Johnson connected with Dominic Gicinto on an 8-yard scoring strike, capping a 12-play, 90-yard drive with 10:42 remaining in the second quarter. The touchdown was set up by Donavan King's recovery of Bell's fumble at the Aggie 10-yard line on the first play of the period, snuffing out the Aztecs' first scoring threat of the night.
SDSU crossed the midfield stripe on one other occasion before intermission but was forced to punt from the NM State 41 following a false start penalty and an incomplete pass, as another promising drive came up empty.
The Aztec offense finally kicked into high gear on the first series of the second half, marching 65 yards in just three plays to snap a long drought. On the first play of the drive, Brookshire hit Byrd on a screen pass for 18 yards before hooking up with Kobe Smith on a 24-yard completion down to the Aggie 23. Moments later, Bell burst through a seam and raced down the left sideline for a touchdown, which narrowed the gap to 10-7.
The teams alternated turnovers on the next three series, including a pair of interceptions and a muffed punt by Byrd. However, neither side could capitalize.
With just over five minutes remaining in the quarter and NM State approaching midfield, the Aggies went for broke, as Johnson lofted a high deep pass down the right sideline. However, the ball was slightly underthrown, and Tayler Hawkins made a spectacular one-handed interception falling to the ground at the 28-yard line.
Two plays later, Brookshire found BJ Busbee over the middle for a 25-yard gain to the NM State but the drive seemingly stalled after Brookshire's third-down pass fell incomplete. However, the intended receiver, Chance Bell, was leveled after a vicious hit by D.J. McCullough, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Given new life with the ball at the Aggie 29, Greg Bell quickly gained 11 yards, while Brookshire evaded the pursuit on the next play and darted around right end for an 18-yard touchdown, which put the hosts in front for good at the 3:01 mark of the third quarter.
Suddenly reeling, NM State succumbed to the Aztecs' new-found momentum, as Aleki corralled Johnson's ill-fated first-down pass after a Keshawn Banks deflection and lumbered 25 yards into the end zone, extending SDSU's advantage to 21-10.
After forcing the Aggies to punt on their next series, the Aztecs needed just three plays to further widen the gap, as Byrd sprinted away from a host of defenders en route to a 43-yard touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter, which closed out the scoring. Byrd's jaunt was set up by Greg Bell's 32-yard gain on a second-and-5 situation from the SDSU 25.
In addition to Hawkins and Aleki's thefts, Shawcroft came down with the Aztecs' other interception, while Noah Tumblin led all players with eight tackles and four pass-breakups. The SDSU defensive effort was also aided by Patrick McMorris, who added seven tackles, including five solo stops, while Cameron Thomas and Segun Olubi finished with six, along with Hawkins. In all, the Aggies gained just 48 yards on 20 attempts for the night, with two of those carries accounting for 34 yards.
NM State's Terrell Warner finished with a game-high 10 catches for 79 yards, while Gicinto had seven receptions for 64 yards and a score in the defeat. The Aggies drew first blood in the opening quarter when Eddie Albertson drilled a 31-yard field goal.
San Diego State hits the road next weekend when it travels to the desert to battle Pac-12 foe Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 11. Kickoff at Arizona Stadium in Tucson is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.