Defense Shines in First Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium Scrimmage

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State continued its preparation for the 2026 campaign after hosting a scrimmage to highlight First Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium festivities. Running approximately 90 plays in 15 possessions, the Aztec offense put up two touchdowns and four field-goals, all in the second half, while the defense came up with a pick-six in the second quarter and finished with nine sacks overall.

On the first series of the night, Jayden Denegal marched the first-string offense 36 yards into plus-territory in six plays. However, Cameron Cooper forced a fumble on Nathan Acevedo’s 10-yard reception before Gavriel Lightfoot pounced on the loose ball at the 39-yard line to extinguish the early threat.

Moments later, Kentucky transfer Stone Saunders hit Parker Threatt for 40 yards on the first play of the ensuing series, while Christian Washington followed with 17 yards on five rushes shortly thereafter, helping the Scarlet and Black advance into the red zone. Facing a 4th-and-1 situation from the 16-yard line, however, Washington was thrown for a three-yard loss ending another scoring opportunity.

Denegal directed a lengthy 15-play, 44-yard drive on the Aztecs’ next foray down the field. However, the offense came up empty once again, as Coooper DiLeva’s 34-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.

Following a three-and-out with Saunders under center, Denegal returned to the field and promptly gave the Aztecs a spark, connecting with Bert Emanuel Jr. on passes of 11 and 15 yards. However, the offense was unable to overcome an ineligible receiver downfield penalty and two sacks before turning the ball over on downs.

The SDSU defense put up a goose-egg once again in the second quarter, turning the tables on the second drive of the period with an interception return for a touchdown when Isaiah Green stepped in front of Saunders’ third-down pass and rambled 26 yards to the end zone.

The third quarter witnessed a trio of field goals from three different kickers, including a pair of 39-yarders by Lane Garner and Noah Serna, while Tyler Prasuhn split the uprights from 40 yards out, salvaging a drive that saw reserve quarterback Brady Campbell complete a 14-yard pass to Ayo Shotomide-King.

Working a short field, the Aztecs finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter when Jordin Thomas plowed in from three yards out.

Later in the period, DiLeva connected on a 35-yard field goal, while Josias Lucas closed out the scoring with a 25-yard touchdown scamper down the left sideline.

SDSU employed four quarterbacks during the scrimmage, led by Denegal, who completed 11 of 13 passes for 83 yards, while Saunders totaled 96 yards on 9-for-18 passing with one interception.

Acevedo paced the Aztec receiving corps with six catches for 21 yards, while Emanuel (49 yds) and Carson Diehl (25 yds) finished with four receptions apiece.

Thanks to a stellar defensive effort, the SDSU running game was held largely in check, with Javion Kinnard gaining a team-high 55 yards on 16 carries to lead all rushers.

Conversely, the Aztec defense registered nine sacks for 38 yards in losses, including two apiece by Malachi Finau and Djibril Rahman. Not to be outdone, Dean Harrington (3 solo), Cameron Cooper and Sione Hala tied for team-high honors with five tackles each.

Entering its inaugural season as Pac-12 members, San Diego State opens its highly anticipated 2026 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 5, when it plays host to Portland State in a non-conference clash at Snapdragon Stadium. The Aztecs-Vikings game is slated to kick off at 6:30 p.m. PDT and will air live on USA Network.

First Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium Scrimmage
August 15, 2026
Snapdragon Stadium
Final Statistics (all unofficial)

Offense

RUSHING (attempts-yards-TD): Javion Kinnard 16-55-0, Josiah Lucas 7-23-1, Christian Washington 6-13-0, Nathan Acevedo 1-9-0, Jordin Thomas 4-6-1, Brady Campbell 1-3-0, Draiden Trudeau 2-(-10)-0, Jayden Denegal 5-(-12)-0, Stone Saunders 3-(-13)-0, TEAM 1-(-17)-0. TOTALS: 46-57-2.

PASSING (completions-attempts-yards, TD, INT): Stone Saunders 9-18-96, 0, 1; Jayden Denegal 11-13-83, 0, 0; Brady Campbell; 1-2-14, 0, 0; Draiden Trudeau 1-1-4, 0, 0; Unknown 1-(-1)-0, 0. TOTALS: 23-35-196, 0, 1.

RECEIVING (receptions-yards-TD): Nathan Acevedo 6-21-0, Bert Emanuel Jr. 4-49-0, Carson Diehl 4-25-0, Daishaun Davis 2-16-0, Parker Threatt 1-40-0, Ayo Shotomide-King 1-14-0, Donovan Brown 1-11-0, Jordin Thomas 1-11-0, Derek Stevenson 1-5-0, Jaylon Hawkins 1-3-0, Javion Kinnard 1-1-0. TOTALS: 23-196-0. 

Defense

TACKLES (unassisted-assisted-total): Dean Harrington 3-2-5, Cameron Cooper 1-4-5, Sione Hala 0-5-5, Malachi Finau 2-2-4, Max Garrison 2-2-4, Tuaoa Tauili’ili 2-2-4, Nate Henrich 1-3-4, Jeramiah Lewis 1-3-4, Gavriel Lightfoot 1-3-4, Jelani McLaughlin 1-3-4, Braylon Cardwell 3-0-3, Carsten Mamaril 3-0-3, Djibril Rahman 2-1-3, Josiah Cox 1-2-3, Javari Nash 1-2-3, Prince Williams 1-2-3, Josh Hunter 1-1-2, Cammeron Purnell 1-1-2, Jalen Thomeson 1-1-2, Kaimana Tufaga 1-1-2, Kai Wallin 1-1-2, Oberhiri Eyafe 0-2-2, Roman Paseka 0-2-2, Amari Comier 1-0-1, Solomon Davis 1-0-1, Rahmeer Henderson 1-0-1, Alijah Lash 1-0-1, Robby Lavata’i 1-0-1, Tainoa Lave 1-0-1, Mike Lindsay 1-0-1, Yanick Parker 1-0-1, Charlie Stewart 1-0-1, Krishna Clay 0-1-1, Kainoa Davis 0-1-1, Isaiah Green 0-1-1. TOTALS: 39-48-63

TACKLES FOR LOSS (no.): Malachi Finau 2.0, Djibril Rahman 2.0, Tuaoa Tauili’ili 1.5, Josh Hunter 1.0, Robby Lavatai 1.0, Jeramiah Lewis 1.0, Javari Nash 1.0, Kainoa Davis 0.5, Oberhiri Eyafe 0.5, Nate Henrich 0.5. TOTALS: 11

QUARTERBACK SACKS (no.-yards): Malachi Finau 2.0-12, Djibril Rahman 2.0-3, Tuaoa Tauili’ili 1.5-10, Javari Nash 1-0-6, Jeramiah Lewis 1.0-4, Robby Lavata’i 1.0-3, Kainoa Davis 0.5-6. TOTALS: 9-38

INTERCEPTIONS (no.): Isaiah Green 1. TOTAL: 1