FRESNO, Calif. -- Lucky Sutton rushed for a career-high 131 yards and a touchdown, and the San Diego State defense pitched its third shutout of the season in a 23-0 victory over Fresno State Saturday at Valley’s Children Stadium in Fresno.
The win made the Aztecs (6-1, 3-0 Mountain West) bowl eligible for the first time since 2022, but the 14th time in the last 16 seasons. It was the fifth consecutive victory for SDSU, which held onto the Old Oil Can Trophy in the rivalry of two teams who will leave the Mountain West for the new Pac-12 Conference in 2026.
San Diego State became the first team to shut out the Bulldogs (5-3, 2-2 MW) in Fresno since 1980 and the first time overall since 2016. It was the first shutout for the Aztecs in the series since 1998 and first in Fresno since 1975, improving SDSU to 32-27-4 all-time in the series.
This is the first time in San Diego State’s Division I history (since 1969) that it has three shutouts in a season. It was also the first shutout for the Aztecs in a road game since Nov. 8, 2003 at UNLV.
SDSU outgained FS, 332-227, including a decisive 208-45 advantage on the ground. San Diego State won its 20th straight game and improved to 61-2 over its last 63 games when rushing for at least 200 yards.
Sutton got the Aztecs on the scoreboard on their second drive of the game, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown on a 9-play, 92-yard drive. The big play came on a 54-yard catch-and-run from Jordan Denegal to a wide-open Byron Cardwell on a second-and-7 that got SDSU to the 1, before Sutton punched it in.
San Diego State got into Fresno State territory early in the second quarter but had to settle for a 42-yard field goal by Gabe Plascencia. It was the 23rd consecutive field goal for Plascencia, which broke the Mountain West record and extended his school record. He added two more later in the game.
The Aztecs threatened on their next drive, but Denegal’s pass on the Bulldog 32 was picked off on the 3 by Al'zillion Hamilton.
SDSU, however, got the ball back when Trey White hit quarterback Carson Conklin and August Salvati was there to grab the interception at the FS32. San Diego State was unable to get a first down and, after a 5-yard false start, Placencia nailed a 50-yarder to put the Aztecs up 13.
FS got into SDSU territory late in the half, but San Diego State stood tall on a fourth-and-10 play, keeping the score at 13-0 at the half.
The Aztecs got deep into Fresno State territory in their first drive of the second half after the Bulldogs were forced to punt, but on a trick play that started on the FS 8, Jordan Napier fumbled and Fresno State got all the way to its own 47.
SDSU, however, came up big by forcing a three-and-out and getting the ball back on its own 9. San Diego State went 82 yards on 11 plays, using up 5:34 before Plascencia’s third field goal of the night – this time from 27 yards - put the Aztecs up, 16-0, with 13:22 remaining.
On the Bulldogs’ ensuing drive, facing a third-and-10, Conklin was picked off by SDSU linebacker Tano Letuli, who returned it 31 yards for the touchdown for the final points of the game.
FS got into San Diego State territory in each of its final two drives, but couldn’t convert at fourth-and-5 from the Aztec 12 or on a fourth-and-9 from the SDSU 47. San Diego State then kneeled to complete the 23-0 victory.
Sutton notched his third 100-yard game of the season (and career) to lead the Aztec offense. Cardwell caught two passes for 59 yards and ran for another 26.
Dalesean Staley led the SDSU defense with seven tackles, including 0.5 for loss, and a pair of pass breakups. San Diego State didn’t allow a play longer than 14 yards.
At 6-1, the Aztecs are off to their best start since starting 7-0 in 2021. That 2021 team set a program record with 12 victories (12-2) and finished 25th in the final Associated Press Top 25 Poll.
SDSU is 3-0 in MW play for the sixth time in league history.