SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State was unable to stop Oregon State’s rushing attack in a 21-0 loss Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium.
Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson each ran for a touchdown for the Beavers (2-0), who combined for 237 yards on the ground.
OSU outgained the Aztecs (1-1), 420-179, overall, for the game, and had 23 first downs to SDSU’s 7. Oregon State, which also received a late touchdown pass from Gevani McCoy to Bryce Caufield, also more than doubled up San Diego State in terms of time of possession at 41:07-18:53.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Beavers went to work on their opening drive, going 53 yards on just five plays, culminating with a 16-yard touchdown run by Griffin.
OSU used up 6:53 of clock time on its next drive, going 47 yards on 13 plays. After converting a fourth-and-1 earlier in the drive, Oregon State was thwarted on a fourth-and-5 from the Aztec 46 when Cody Moon hurried McCoy’s throw, which bounced to the grass incomplete.
SDSU, however, was unable to capitalize with the good field position and was forced to punt after another three-and-out.
The teams traded punts until the Beavers’ last drive of the half. Starting on its own 26, OSU went 53 yards on 11 plays, twice converting a third-and-1 to extend the drive. Everett Hayes’ 38-yard field goal, however, missed, making it a 7-0 Oregon State lead at the half.
San Diego State’s first chance to score came midway through the third quarter when its punt return unit pressured Beaver punter Josh Green. Although a streaking Max Garrison was unable to block the punt, it only went 14 yards, giving San Diego State the ball on its own 45 with 9:20 left in the quarter.
The Aztecs quickly got into OSU territory for the first time of the night with a 9-yard rush by Marquez Cooper and a 4-yard pass from Danny O’Neil to Jude Wolfe. O’Neil, a true freshman making his second career start, then found Louis Brown IV with a deep pass down the right sideline, going 35 yards and setting up a first-and-goal on the Oregon State 7. After an incomplete pass in the end zone, Cooper rushed five yards to set up a third-and-goal from the 2. O’Neil, however, fumbled on a quarterback keeper as Jack Kane punched the ball out and Nikko Taylor jumped on the ball on the Beaver 2-yard line.
OSU responded with a methodical 13-play, 98-yard drive, before Hankerson ran it in 15 yards on a fourth-and-1 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Oregon State converted two third downs on the drive, including a 41-yard pass from McCoy to Trent Walker on a third-and-11 from its own 24-yard line.
SDSU had to punt on its ensuing drive, but Tyler Pastula’s boot was blocked by Amarion York, giving the Beavers prime starting field position on their own 46. Hayes’ long field goal attempt from 54 yards missed, however, giving San Diego State a chance to halve into OSU’s advantage.
The Aztecs were unable to get into Oregon State territory and a long throw on fourth-and-18 from O’Neil to Ja’Shaun Poke was broken up by Skyler Thomas, giving the ball back to the Beavers on the SDSU 42.
OSU ran four rushes and then, on a third-and-3, used play-action where McCoy found a wide-open Caufield in the end zone from 21 yards out to make it a 21-0 game.
The teams traded punts before time ran out on San Diego State’s final drive.
McCoy was 16-for-26 for 181 yards. Griffin finished with 18 carries for 89 yards and Hankerson added 71 yards rushing. Walker had eight receptions for 92 yards.
Cooper rushed for 53 yards on 13 carries for the Aztecs, while O’Neil battled an injured knee to throw for 107 yards, going 11-for-24.
Chris Johnson had a career-high nine tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup to lead the SDSU defense.
San Diego State was shut out for just the third time in the last 219 games (streak started on Nov. 26, 2006) and for the first time against a Pac-12 school since Sept. 18, 1982 at California (L, 28-0).