Aztecs Come Up Short at UCLA 28-10

PASADENA, Calif. -- San Diego State kept UCLA in check for three quarters before falling, 28-10, at Rose Bowl Stadium Saturday night in Pasadena, Calif.

The Aztecs (1-1), who were 1-22-1 all-time against the Bruins (2-0) entering Saturday’s contest, became the first non-conference team to hold UCLA scoreless in the first half since Sept. 9, 1989, against Tennessee.

The Bruins, however, received three rushing touchdowns from Wayne Knight in its home opener under new coach Bob Chesney.

UCLA, which was coming off a 45-24 road win at former Pac-12 foe California, was held in check by a stout SDSU defense through the first three quarters.

The teams combined for 98 points in winning their respective openers, but neither could get untracked after exchanging punts in the opening quarter.

The biggest play of the first half was Nico Iamaleava's 45-yard pass to Brian Rowe Jr. for a first down in the second quarter. The Bruins eventually got the ball to the 2-yard line on the drive, but Iamaleava was intercepted in the end zone by Mike Lindsay. It was the second straight game Lindsay came up with an interception.

SDSU was unable to get much traction after starting on the 2, but Tashi Dorje got the visitors out of trouble with a 77-yard punt, tied for the ninth longest in program history.

UCLA got into San Diego State territory on its ensuing possession, but on a fourth-and-7 from the Aztec 36-yard line, Iamaleava was sacked by Malachi Finau to keep the game scoreless.

After forcing a three-and-out to being the second half, the Bruins got on the scoreboard, taking advantage of good field position after a 26-yard punt return by Semaj Morgan that got UCLA to the Aztec 43. Four plays later, Knight scampered in from eight yards out for the first points of the game.

The teams exchanged punts the rest of the third quarter.

SDSU got on the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter, going 48 yards on eight plays before Cooper DiLeva connected on a 46-yard field goal.

The Bruins, however, scored on three consecutive drives for a 21-point fourth quarter.

Knight capped a 9-play, 75-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown to make it 14-3 with 7:17 left.

San Diego State quarterback Jayden Denegal was picked off deep in UCLA territory and the Bruins capitalized from the 19 with Jalvian Thomas scoring from a 1-yard out to make it 21-3.

The Aztecs answered with a 5-play, 65-yard drive, ending with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Denegal to Jackson Ford with 2:28 left.

SDSU failed to convert its onsides kick attempt and Knight ran it in from 36 yards out on the second play of the drive to cap the scoring at 28-10.

Lucky Sutton ran for 81 yards on 19 carries and Javion Kannard added 48 yards on 12 attempts to lead San Diego State.

Denegal was just 6-for-17 for 45 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Four Aztecs had four tackles apiece in Jelani McLaughlin, Josh Hunter, Sione Hale and Tano Letui.

The announced crowd was 31,976 for the home opener for the Chesney era.