FORT COLLINS, COLO. -- The Aztecs fell to Colorado State inside Canvas Stadium 49-56, moving their record to 2-2 in Pac-12 conference play and 3-5 overall. The game was highlighted by a back and forth scoring affair with both teams’ offensive units creating multiple explosive plays and sustained drives. The Rams offense found the endzone on their opening drive with quarterback Hauss Hejny capping off 10 play, 75-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Tommy Maher.
The Aztec’s redshirt freshman quarterback Stone Saunders made his first collegiate career start and would drive SDSU down the field on the Aztec’s first offensive possession. A career long pass of 46 yards to Jaylon Hawkins set up five consecutive Lucky Sutton rushing attempts that culminated in a five-yard rushing touchdown.
San Diego State would go on to score on their first four drives while the Rams produced points on four of their first offensive series. Later in the half the teams would trade interceptions with Colorado State intercepting Saunders and returning it 38-yards for a touchdown. The Aztecs entered halftime trailing 24-35.
At the half Javion Kinnard, who spent his freshman season with Colorado State, totaled 88 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns including a 32-yard scamper to the endzone in the second quarter. Jaylon Hawkins continued to make explosive plays collecting a pair of receptions for 91 receiving yards during the first two frames of action.
The offensive units remained busy after the break. The Aztecs would recover an onside kick to open the half leading to a Cooper DiLeva 46-yard field goal. Colorado State responded quickly with a 73-yard drive culminating in a Hejny 28-yard passing touchdown to push the score to 42-27 in favor of the Rams. After getting the ball back Saunders orchestrated a highly efficient drive completing four consecutive passes for 67 yards including a 43-yard strike to Jaylon Hawkins for his first career passing touchdown moving the score to 42-34 with SDSU still trailing.
Colorado State opened the fourth quarter with a four-yard rushing touchdown on their first play from scrimmage in the quarter. Once again SDSU immediately responded on the ensuing drive with Saunders connecting with Jordan Napier on a 42-yard play before finding the junior wide receiver over the middle for a 24-yard passing touchdown. Bert Emanuel Jr. received a pass at the pylon to successfully convert on the two-point play keeping the Aztecs in striking distance. Despite moving within a single score, the Rams once again were able to push the lead back to double digits with a nine-play drive leading to a Hauss Hejny 30-yard rushing score. After Gavriel Lightfoot forced and recovered a fumble at SDSU’s one yard line, the Aztecs took what would be their final offensive possession a full 99 yards down the field while earning seven first downs culminating in Lucky Sutton’s second rushing touchdown of the game from seven yards out.
The spirited comeback fell just short as the Rams were able to move the chains enough to be able to kneel out the remaining time giving them a 56-49 victory.
In his first collegiate start Stone Saunders threw for 369 yards, two scores and a pair of interceptions. He is the first Aztec to eclipse 300 passing yards since Jalen Mayden passed for 309 yards against Middle Tennessee on Dec. 24, 2022. Jaylon Hawkins breakout campaign continued with the redshirt freshmen hauling in six receptions for a career high 164 receiving yards and a touchdown. On the ground the Lucky Sutton contributed 98 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns while Javion Kinnard highlighted his return to Fort Collins with 109 all purpose yards and two scores as well.
Colorado State’s quarterback Hauss Hejny completed 24 passes on 31 attempts for 333 yards, three scores and an interception. He also rushed for 85 yards, two touchdowns and fumbled once. Tommy Maher led the Rams through the air with 108 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Durell Robinson compiled 86 rushing yards to go along with two rushing touchdowns.
The Aztecs will now turn their attention to Washington State. The Cougars will make the trip to Snapdragon Stadium on Oct. 31 marking the first time the two programs will face off as members of the Pac-12
A longer recap to follow shortly…