Reno, Nev. – Coming into tonight’s matchup with the University of Nevada, Reno, the Aztecs had been searching for their first complete team performance away from the confines of Snapdragon Stadium. Thanks to touchdowns from all three facets of the Aztec’s program, including another record setting performance from field goal kicker Gabriel Plascencia, San Diego State has now won four straight contests on their way to the programs best start since the 2021 season.
The Aztecs would put points on the scoreboard the very first time they touched the football. After forcing a three and out by Nevada, Jordan Napier would return the ensuing punt 75-yards for the first touchdown of the game. Both teams would exchange punts in the middle of the first quarter before San Deigo State’s defense begun to increase the pressure on the Wolf Pack’s true freshman quarterback, Carter Jones. Jones would throw is first interception of the game with 7:11 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Senior cornerback Chris Johnson would not only log his third interception of the year but return it 40-yards for his second “pick-six” of the 2025 season. On the next drive, Jones would loft a past along the left sideline only to for safety Dwayne McDougle pick off his pass for a second consecutive interception.
The second quarter gave way to the Aztec’s offense with all three San Diego State drives resulting in touchdowns to in the quarter. The first was a 70-yard drive capped off with a short, play action pass from quarterback Jayden Denegal to running back Christian Watson from two yards out. The next scoring drive began with Washington racking up 31 consecutive rushing yards before Denegal unleashed a 31-yard passing strike to Jacob Bostick for his second passing touchdown of the evening. The Aztec’s final drive of the half highlighted Denegal’s ability to make plays with both his arm and legs. He opened the drive with a 29-yard rushing attempt before completing a pair of passes to Jordan Napier, including a 41-yard catch and run play from Napier that marched San Diego State down to Nevada’s goal line. Running back Lucky Sutton would proceed to punch the ball into the endzone for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season while extending SDSU’s lead to 35-0.
The second half of play saw Gabriel Plascencia take over as the team’s primary scoring threat. The left-footed kicker would convert three field goals on three consecutive drives from distances of 21 yards, 45 yards and 49 yards. Plasencia has now hit 22 consecutive field goal attempts dating back to last season and has claimed the longest streak of consecutive makes in the nation.
Defensively, San Diego State successfully shut out Nevada through three quarters of play before allowing 10 points in the final frame of action. Safety Dalesean Staley and EDGE rusher Trey White would lead the way with six tackles apiece. White also added a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss to his resume as well. As a unit, the defense forced six punts, secured two interceptions and forced a turnover on downs. For the year the Aztecs are allowing just 12.2 points per game including a pair of shutout victories earlier in the season.
A longer recap to follow shortly…