TOLEDO, OHIO -- The Aztecs would strike first during their trip to Toledo, Ohio. San Diego State began the day with a 10 play, 68-yard drive highlighted by three straight completions to tight end Jackson Ford for 25 total yards and a Donovan Brown 38-yard reception on third and 10. Despite being unable to find the endzone, kicker Cooper DiLeva converted on a 25-yard field goal attempt to give the Aztecs the first points of the contest.
Toledo would respond with 17 unanswered first half points taking a 17-3 lead into the break. Rocket’s quarterback John Alan Ritcher accounted for 169 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air. The Aztec’s receiving core was paced by four catches from Jackson Ford for 32 yards while Josh Hunter led the defense with seven total first half tackles.
Unfortunately, Toledo’s offense found their stride in the second half of play scoring a touchdown on the first drive of the half after a failed onside kick attempt by San Diego State. They would score an additional 17 points in the third. During their final drive of the third quarter, San Diego State’s passing offense was able to convert a pair of passes down the field to Jacob Bostick, including a 20-yard completion. Quarterback Jayden Denegal capped off SDSU’s 15 play drive with an 11-yard passing touchdown to tight end Ryan Wolfer. It would be the first receiving touchdown of his career.
During the fourth quarter redshirt-freshman quarterback Draiden Trudeau took the reigns of the offense. He would go on to convert four of five passing attempts for 53 yards including a 14-yard touchdown pass to fellow redshirt-freshman Jaylon Hawkins. Hawkins collected three passes for 25 yards and a score during the fourth quarter and returned a kickoff 42 yards. He finished the game with a team high 144 all-purpose yards with 119 coming as a kick returner.
San Diego State’s defense was led by Josh Hunter who finished with eight total tackles. The starting linebacker duo of Sione Hala and Tano Letuli combined for 15 total tackles as well.
Toledo outgained San Diego State with 494 total offensive yards to the Aztecs 296. Jayden Denegal finished the day with 206 passing yards and a touchdown while also throwing an interception that was returned for a Toledo touchdown.
The Aztecs move to 1-3 on the season and now turn their attention to the start of Pac-12 conference play with Texas State set to visit Snapdragon Stadium next Saturday on October 3.
A longer recap to follow…