Aztecs Roll Past Stony Brook in Season Opener, 42-0

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State’s Lucky Sutton rushed for a career-high 100 yards and scored two touchdowns on Thursday, lifting the Aztecs to a 42-0 romp over Stony Brook in the season opener for both teams at Snapdragon Stadium.

The Aztecs outgained the Seawolves 453-95 in total offense and used a swarming defense to help build an unsurmountable 20-0 advantage by halftime. SBU was unable to cross midfield until the fourth quarter, as the Scarlet and Black forced six three-and-outs for the night.

The victory marked SDSU’s first shutout since a 6-0 shaving of Weber State at SDCCU Stadium on Aug. 31, 2019, and represented the team’s first blanking at Snapdragon Stadium. In addition, the win marked the Aztecs’ largest shutout margin since a 55-0 rout of Hawaii at home on Nov. 5, 2016.

Along with Sutton’s production, starting quarterback Jayden Denegal completed 13-of-25 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown in his Scarlet and Black debut, connecting with nine different receivers.

Sutton set the tone for the contest, rushing for 41 yards on SDSU’s opening possession, highlighted by a 20-yard scamper on fifth play from scrimmage. After a 16-yard completion from Denegal to Jackson Ford to the Seawolf 3, Sutton burst across the goal line from a yard out to give the host school a lead they would not relinquish.

After forcing a quick SBU punt, Denegal directed a 13-play, 75-yard drive, punctuated by a 25-yard scoring strike over the middle to a wide-open Jacob Bostick on a 3rd-and-12 situation.

Later in the second quarter, Gabriel Plascencia split the uprights from 42 and 35 yards out, respectively, extending his streak to 14 consecutive field goals.

Leading 20-0, the Aztecs turned the game into a blowout, as Sutton added his second touchdown with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter on a two-yard run to pay dirt. Previously, Denegal hit a streaking Donovan Brown with a 44-yard completion on the first play of the drive, putting SDSU in business at the Stony Brook 10. The Aztecs then flashed some razzle-dazzle with a two-point conversion, as DJ Herman connected with Brady Anderson in the left corner of the end zone.

Christian Washington displayed his talents in the fourth quarter, capping a 9-play, 61-yard advance with a 1-yard touchdown burst, increasing the SDSU advantage to 35-0. Earlier in the drive, Washington plowed through the right side of the Seawolf defense for 27 yards on a 2nd-and-13 play, while Nathan Acevedo put the Aztecs in the red zone on the ensuing snap with a 17-yard reception from backup quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr.

With the clock winding down, Parker Threatt closed out the scoring with a five-yard touchdown on sweep around left end to culminate an 8-play, 44-yard march, as backup placekicker Nick Clegg booted the extra point.

SDSU rushed for 228 yards on 53 carries, improving to 58-2 in its last 60 games when gaining 200 yards on the ground. Washington ran for 38 yards on seven attempts, while Brian Cardwell added 29 yards on seven rushes of his own.

Bostick finished with three catches for a game-high 56 yards to lead the Aztec receiving corps, while Brown, Sutton, Acevedo, Jerry McClure and Jordan Napier hauled in two receptions apiece.

Defensively, Owen Chambliss and Tano Letuli tied for team-high honors with five tackles apiece. Chambliss contributed a sack for one of his four solo stops, while Trey White (3 tackles) maintained the pressure with a pair of quarterback hurries.

On the flip side, Stony Brook was paced by Bryson Parker’s eight tackles, while Shamar Askin (6 solos) and Raydon Aphayvong totaled seven stops each.

Offensively, the Seawolves were limited to just 46 passing yards, while Roland Dempster mustered just 49 rushing yards on 12 carries for the visitors.

Including the Aztecs’ 2024 season finale vs. Air Force, Thursday’s contest marked the second straight SDSU game in which both teams did not commit a turnover.

San Diego State hits the road next weekend when it travels to the Palouse for a non-conference clash at Washington State on Saturday, Sept. 6. Kickoff from Gesa Field in Pullman, Washington, is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. PT, and the game will air live on The CW.