Tag: San Diego State

No. 25 North Texas outscores San Diego State in wild New Mexico Bowl

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Caleb Hawkins ran for 198 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries and caught a pass for another score as No. 25 North Texas outlasted short-handed San Diego State 49-47 on Saturday in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque.

The Mean Green (12-2) won a dozen games in a season for the first time while snapping a streak of seven straight bowl losses.

Record-setting quarterback Drew Mestemaker passed for 250 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for North Texas, who racked up 618 yards of total offense. Ashton Gray added 152 yards and two TDs on 16 totes as the Mean Green totaled 368 on the ground.

San Diego State quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns in a quarter and a half before suffering a left shoulder injury. His backup, Kyle Crum, passed for 169 yards and a score and ran for two other TDs for the Aztecs (9-4), who had 532 yards of total offense including 326 rushing.

Down by 22 points heading into the fourth quarter, San Diego State scored two touchdowns in a minute and 22 seconds, with the second coming on a 63-yard punt return by Nathan Acevedo that culled the Aztecs’ deficit to 42-34.

After a 31-yard TD pass from Mestemaker to Cameron Dormer with 6:08 to play pushed the North Texas lead back to 15 points, Christian Washington ran 11 yards for a TD a minute and a half later to make it 49-40 and give San Diego State a modicum of hope.

A final Crum 1-yard keeper for TD with 1 second left was mere window dressing.

Hawkins’ 9-yard TD run on the game’s opening possession gave the Mean Green the early lead. San Diego State pulled to 7-6 on Emanuel’s 8-yard scoring run with 6:57 to play in the first quarter.

Gray’s 17-yard scoring run at the 3:18 mark of the first quarter — five plays after he gained 34 yards on a fake punt — put North Texas up 14-6. Mestemaker’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Hawkins with 10 seconds left in the quarter propelled the Mean Green to a 15-point advantage.

The Aztecs swung back, with Emanuel getting loose for a 72-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter. Gray reeled off a 51-yard scoring run to rebuild North Texas’ lead before Crum connected with Jackson Ford with a 3-yard TD pass that made in 28-20 at halftime.

Hawkins produced his second rushing TD — this one from 3 yards away — with 6:34 to play in the third quarter. Mestemaker then hit Dormer on a 1-yard scoring pass to stoke North Texas’ lead to 42-20.

Crum answered with an 11-yard run three minutes into the fourth quarter for the Aztecs to spark their late comeback.

–Field Level Media

San Diego State challenges No. 25 North Texas’ historic season in New Mexico Bowl

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No. 25 North Texas looks to cap the best season in program history by breaking a baffling bowl jinx when it squares off with dangerous San Diego State on Saturday afternoon in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, N.M.

The game will be a clash of strengths, with the Mean Green (11-2) boasting one of the nation’s most explosive teams and the Aztecs (9-3) ranked among FBS’ best defenses.

North Texas set a school record for wins with coach Eric Morris at the helm, but he left to be the head man at Oklahoma State following the Mean Green’s 34-21 loss to Tulane in the American championship game on Dec. 5.

That loss snapped a six-game win streak for the Mean Green and kept them from earning a spot — taken by Tulane — in the College Football Playoff.

“These guys are locked in,” North Texas interim coach Drew Svoboda said. “Initially, obviously, coming off a loss in the American Conference championship game, there was a lot of disappointment in that locker room.

“When we brought everybody back and had a chance to get all these guys together and talk about the goal and what’s still in front of this football team, we realized they’re excited to play.”

North Texas’ most recent win in a bowl game was the Heart of Dallas Bowl that ended the 2013 season. In the 12 seasons since, the Mean Green have lost seven consecutive bowl games.

The Mean Green are led by second-year quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who has said he will evaluate his future after the season. It’s all but written in stone that Mestemaker — who at this time last year was preparing to make his first start since his freshman year of high school — will be heading to the transfer portal, as soon as right after Saturday’s game.

Mestemaker threw for a national-best 4,129 yards and his 31 touchdown passes rank second to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of Indiana. Mestemaker earned AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors.

“I just go at it every day and give it my best shot,” Mestemaker said. “That was my mentality when I first got here, showing up as quarterback five or six. I had to grind my way up every day.”

The Mean Green rank first in the FBS in scoring offense (44.8 points per game) and total offense (504.3 yards per game) as well as second in passing (323.2 ypg) and third in passing efficiency (174.3 rating).

The Aztecs head into Saturday’s game after a 23-17 double-overtime loss on Nov. 28 at New Mexico that cost San Diego State a berth in the Mountain West championship game. The Aztecs tied with Boise State, New Mexico and UNLV atop the league standings, but was left out of the title game because computer rankings determined the participants.

“In the history of this proud program, there are not very many teams that got to 10 (wins),” San Diego State coach Sean Lewis said. “(If you get) six to seven wins, you are a good team. Eight to nine (wins), you are a great team. You get to double digits, that is an elite level that not many teams will get to year in and year out.”

The Aztecs rank fifth in the nation in scoring defense (12.6 PPG), third in pass efficiency defense (99.1 rating), fourth in pass defense (157.0 ypg) and sixth in total defense (266.7 ypg). San Diego State has allowed just 151 points, including 38 on Nov 8 at Hawaii and 36 on Sept. 6 at Washington State. In the other 10 games, the Aztecs surrendered just 77 points.

San Diego State will play without starting quarterback Jayden Denegal, who underwent surgery on Dec. 17 to repair an injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Denegal suffered the injury against Stony Brook on Aug. 28 during the team’s first game. He played the rest of the year while wearing a protective harness.

The Aztecs are 10-10 in their 20 bowl appearances, with their most recent bowl game a 25-23 loss to Middle Tennessee in the 2022 Hawaii Bowl. San Diego State’s last bowl win was a 38-24 decision over UTSA in the 2021 Frisco Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Sep 27, 2025; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Hawaii Rainbow Warriors running back Landon Sims (30) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Reports: Hawaii, San Diego St. to play home-and-home in 2028-29

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Hawaii and San Diego State have agreed to a home-and-home series in 2028 and 2029, FBSchedules.com and the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The schools are currently football rivals in the Mountain West — Hawaii is a football-only member of the conference for now — but San Diego State is set to leave for the new-look Pac-12 after this academic year.

The Rainbow Warriors and Aztecs will meet in San Diego on Sept. 23, 2028, and in Honolulu on Sept. 22, 2029, per the reports. The latter game would be played at New Aloha Stadium provided the building opens on time in 2028.

San Diego State will move to the Pac-12 along with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Texas State and Utah State next year, joining Oregon State and Washington State for eight football-laying schools. Gonzaga is also set to join but does not field a football team.

Hawaii, whose other athletic programs currently play in the Big West, will convert to full Mountain West membership in 2026.

The Aztecs (4-1, 1-0 Mountain West) will visit the Rainbow Warriors (4-2, 1-1) on Nov. 8 in their final game as conference rivals.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen (4) throws a pass during the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images

Maddux Madsen’s 4 TD tosses take No. 15 Boise State past SDSU

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Maddux Madsen threw for four touchdowns in the first half of No. 15 Boise State’s 56-24 romp past visiting San Diego State in a Friday night Mountain West Conference matchup.

Latrell Caples caught six passes for 90 yards and three touchdown for the Broncos, and Ashton Jeanty ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries to keep his Heisman Trophy candidacy rolling.

Madsen connected on 24 of 32 passes for 307 yards.

Boise State (7-1, 4-0 Mountain West) produced 541 yards of total offense and also scored a touchdown on defense en route to its sixth win in a row.

The Aztecs (3-5, 2-1) managed only 12 first downs and 256 yards of total offense, as Marquez Cooper gained 94 yards on 16 carries.

San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil threw for two touchdowns, but he was intercepted twice and was 14-for-30 for 155 yards.

The Aztecs, whose previous four games were all decided by three points or fewer, couldn’t keep it close after the Broncos built a 21-0 first-quarter lead. As a result, what was billed as a bit of a conference showdown didn’t materialize.

Madsen threw for 18 yards and 19 yards to Caples for scores in the first quarter. A’Marion McCoy’s 35-yard interception return gave Boise State a second touchdown in an eight-second span and a 21-0 lead late in the opening period.

It was 28-0 after Madsen threw to Prince Strachan for a 14-yard scoring play with 11:35 to play in the second quarter. The third Madsen-to-Caples TD connection came with 22 seconds left in the half, which ended with the Broncos up 35-10.

Jeanty did his scoring in the second half. He had the only touchdown in the third quarter, a 4-yard run, and he opened the fourth-quarter scoring with another 4-yard run.

O’Neil had his two touchdown throws in the fourth quarter, tossing 30 yards to Jordan Napier and 30 yards to Mekhi Shaw.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) cuts through the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors defense for a touchdown during the first quarter at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images

No. 15 Boise State, ‘warrior’ Ashton Jeanty meet San Diego State

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Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will try to continue his push for the Heisman Trophy when the No. 15 Broncos host San Diego State in a Mountain West game on Friday evening.

Jeanty has rushed for a nation-leading 1,376 yards and is second in the country with 18 touchdowns while averaging 196.6 rushing yards across seven games for the Broncos (6-1, 3-0 Mountain West).

He’s more than halfway to the NCAA rushing record for a season (2,628), set by Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State in 1988. Boise State has five more games on its regular-season schedule, but could play as many as nine more if the Broncos qualify for the 12-team College Football Playoff.

“I did have high hopes for myself,” Jeanty said. “I had it in my mind that this was going to be a legendary season, but I didn’t know exactly how that was going to unravel.”

Jeanty most recently rushed for 128 yards on 33 carries in a 29-24 win at UNLV last Friday.

He lit up the Aztecs for 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 34-31 victory last season. That remained his best game until he ran for 212 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-30 loss to Colorado State three weeks later.

Jeanty has since topped the 200-yard mark three more times this season.

“He’s just an absolute warrior,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said.

The Broncos have won five in a row overall and remain tied for first with Colorado State atop the conference standings. Boise State and Colorado State do not play this season.

In order to qualify for the CFP, the Broncos would need to finish as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions in the FBS.

With its latest win against UNLV, Boise State moved from No. 17 to No. 15, leapfrogging LSU and Kansas State.

“That UNLV team is legit,” said Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen, who threw for 209 yards and a touchdown. “That defense played hard and fast until the end. We talked all week about how it was going to be a heavyweight fight. Their only loss was to Syracuse in overtime. That game was going to be tough.”

The win in Las Vegas also made the Broncos bowl-eligible for the 27th straight year, the second-longest active streak in the nation behind Georgia (28).

The Aztecs (3-4, 2-0) are coming off a 29-26 loss to visiting Washington State on Saturday night, a team that the Broncos beat 45-24 on Sept. 28.

San Diego State took a 26-14 lead with 13:39 left in the fourth quarter but gave up the final 15 points.

“We can’t get lax with that lead,” San Diego State linebacker Tano Letuli said. “We need to play a full four quarters. Every play, every down, we can’t get lax and be complacent.”

San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil missed two drives against Washington State after sustaining an ankle injury. Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson filled in for O’Neil before he returned and led the Aztecs on a touchdown drive that pulled them within 14-12 late in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass against the San Diego State Aztecs during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Cal scores 24 in 2nd half to pull away from San Diego State

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Fernando Mendoza threw for two touchdowns, Jaivian Thomas rushed for 169 yards and California came on strong in the second half to defeat visiting San Diego State 31-10 in a penalty-marred non-conference game Saturday night.

The Golden Bears (3-0) led just 7-3 at halftime before scoring on their first four possessions of the second half to go up 31-10.

Kadarius Calloway got the flurry going with a 7-yard run. Mendoza then hit Corey Dyches with a 20-yard touchdown strike, Ryan Coe kicked a 48-yard field goal and Mendoza found Nyziah Hunter for a 15-yard TD.

The only points the Aztecs (1-2) scored in the second half occurred when Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson hit Jordan Napier with a 40-yard touchdown pass, temporarily getting the visitors within 24-10 with still 11:05 to play in the fourth.

Playing without star running back Jaydn Ott, Cal ran up 473 total yards, including 275 on the ground. Thomas’ 169 yards came on 17 carries, while Calloway finished with 87 yards on nine rushes.

Mendoza, who opened Cal’s scoring with an 8-yard run in the first quarter, went 21-for-29 for 198 passing yards and his two scores. He threw one interception.

Hunter (52 yards) and Dyches (48 yards) each had four catches for the Golden Bears, who play their first Atlantic Coast Conference game next week at Florida State.

Playing without starting quarterback Danny O’Neil, who missed the game due to a knee injury, San Diego State was held to 276 total yards. Tupou’ata-Johnson went 13-for-29 for 156 yards, with one TD and two interceptions, while Marquez Cooper was the Aztecs’ leading rusher with 87 yards on 22 carries.

The game was stalled by 27 penalties for 233 yards.

— Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A detailed view of the Pac-12 Conference logo at midfield at Allegiant Stadium before the 2021 Pac-12 Championship Game between the Oregon Ducks and the Utah Utes. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Boise State, three others joining Pac-12 for 2026-27

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Mountain West representatives Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State will join the Pac-12 in the 2026-27 academic year, the latter conference announced Thursday morning.

The Pac-12 board of directors unanimously approved the additions of the four schools to join Oregon State and Washington State, the last two remaining schools after an offseason that saw 10 members jump to other power conferences. Oregon, Washington, UCLA and Southern California moved to the Big Ten; Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State shifted to the Big 12; and Cal and Stanford joined the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State officially will join the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026.

“For over a century, the Pac-12 Conference has been recognized as a leading brand in intercollegiate athletics,” Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said in a statement. “We will continue to pursue bold cutting-edge opportunities for growth and progress, to best serve our member institutions and student-athletes. I am thankful to our board for their efforts to welcome Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, and San Diego State University to the conference. An exciting new era for the Pac-12 Conference begins today.”

The NCAA gave the Pac-12 until July 2026 to have a minimum of eight universities if the league is to remain part of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Mountain West additions still leave the league two short, although officials are pursuing additional options.

The four schools joining the Pac-12 would have to pay an exit fee of $18 million. The Pac-12 also would owe the Mountain West $43 million for taking schools away, part of the deal it reached to arrange scheduling of football matchups for Oregon State and Washington State this year.

MWC commissioner Gloria Nevarez released a statement late Wednesday to address reports that the four schools were exiting the conference.

“The Mountain West Conference is aware of media reports regarding the potential departure of several of our members, and we will have more to say in the days ahead,” Nevarez said. “All members will be held to the Conference bylaws and policies should they elect to depart. The requirements of the scheduling agreement will apply to the Pac-12 should they admit Mountain West members. Our Board of Directors is meeting to determine our next steps. The Mountain West has a proud 25-year history and will continue to thrive in the years ahead.”

Colorado State and San Diego State have been in the Mountain West since the league’s founding in 1999. Boise State joined the conference in 2011, and Fresno State followed in 2012. One of those four schools won or shared the league’s football championship in 10 of the past 12 seasons.

“We are ecstatic to be joining the Pac-12 Conference,” San Diego State athletic director John David Wicker said. “While we are grateful to be a founding member of the Mountain West with 26 years of success in the conference, we are excited at what lies ahead with these new opportunities. We will continue to compete for conference championships on the field and to graduate leaders in the community.”

–Field Level Media

California Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during warm ups before Auburn Tigers take on California Golden Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

Cal, San Diego State renew rivalry in Berkeley

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California and San Diego State will meet for the first time in eight years in a non-conference contest Saturday night in Berkeley, Calif.

Both teams have injury concerns as Cal (2-0) seeks its first 3-0 start since 2019, while San Diego State (1-1) hopes to bounce back from a shutout home loss to Oregon State.

Cal has yet to get much from star running back Jaydn Ott, who injured his right ankle in the opener against U.C. Davis. He has been a part-time participant in both of Cal’s games, totaling just 60 yards on 24 carries. He has scored twice.

Ott is considered questionable for Saturday’s game, with the Golden Bears perhaps erring on the side of keeping him healthy for next week’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener at Florida State.

Jaivian Thomas led the Golden Bears in rushing with 53 yards in last week’s 21-14 upset win at Auburn. Cal did most of its offensive damage through the air, with Fernando Mendoza throwing for 233 yards and two touchdowns.

Cal coach Justin Wilcox began the season planning to split time between Mendoza and transfer Chandler Rogers, but Wilcox announced this week that no longer will be the case.

“Fernando will be our starting quarterback,” Wilcox declared. “Fernando has done a really good job. … Obviously last week, especially in the first half, was incredibly efficient. Still really bullish on that (quarterback) room. I think those guys are good football players and can help us win.”

This week, it’s San Diego State that brings quarterback uncertainty into the game, with freshman Danny O’Neil having injured his left knee in the first quarter of last week’s 21-0 loss to Oregon State.

O’Neil returned to the field for the Aztecs’ next possession with a brace on the knee, but finished just 11-of-24 passing for 107 yards.

First-year San Diego State coach Sean Lewis expects O’Neil to tough it out again this week, but hopes he’ll do a better job protecting himself.

“He is a relentless competitor,” Lewis praised. “He’s willing to sacrifice his own body. We’ve got to be smart about that. We talk about necessary hits versus unnecessary hits.”

San Diego State has been led offensively so far by running back Marquez Cooper, who has amassed 276 yards on 40 carries. He has two touchdowns.

The teams have split their eight all-time meetings, with the Aztecs winning the most recent game, 45-40 in San Diego in 2016.

-Field Level Media

Oregon State Beavers head coach Trent Bray watches the game against Idaho State Bengals during the second half on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.

Oregon St. suffocates San Diego St. for shutout win

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Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson each rushed for a touchdown and visiting Oregon State held San Diego State to seven first downs in a 21-0 victory on Saturday night.

Oregon State (2-0) ran 78 total plays and possessed the ball for 41:07, while the Aztecs (1-1) had the ball for just 18:53 and called 49 plays.

Griffin rushed for 89 yards on 18 carries, and Hankerson finished with 71 yards on 16 carries.

Oregon State quarterback Gevani McCoy completed 15 of 25 passes for 160 yards. Trent Walker was his top target, finishing with eight receptions for 92 yards. Gabarri Johnson threw for a TD for the Beavers.

San Diego State true freshman quarterback Danny O’Neil completed 11 of 24 passes for 107 yards.

The Beavers were leading 7-0 when Walker dropped a wide-open pass on a flea flicker early in the third quarter, and the ensuing punt travelled just 14 yards to the San Diego State 45.

A 9-yard run by Marquez Cooper moved the Aztecs into Oregon State territory for the first time, and a 35-yard catch from Louis Brown IV soon put the ball at the Beavers 7.

O’Neil fumbled three plays later, however, losing the ball as he dove for the goal line, and Oregon State recovered at the 2.

The Beavers then marched 98 yards in 13 plays and took a 14-0 lead when Hankerson scored on the first play of the fourth quarter on fourth-and-1 from the San Diego State 15, dashing around the left end.

Oregon State sealed the win with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Bryce Caufield with 4:36 remaining.

The Beavers started their first drive of the game at their own 47 and scored five plays later when Griffin ran around the left end and dove over the pylon to complete a 16-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.

The Beavers missed a chance to add to their lead, as Everett Hayes missed a 38-yard field goal with seven seconds left in the first half.

San Diego State punted on five of its first-half drives, managing just 101 total yards of offense and three first downs before the break.

–Field Level Media

Punter Matt Araiza sends one downfield on the opening day of the Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester Sunday, July 24, 2022. Sd 072422 Bills Camp 17 Spts

‘Punt God’ Matt Araiza gets second chance from Chiefs

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Punter Matt Araiza is getting a second chance at an NFL career after the Kansas City Chiefs signed him to a contract on Thursday.

Araiza lost his gig with the Buffalo Bills shortly before the start of the 2022 season when the team released him two days after allegations emerged that he was involved in a sexual assault with a then-17-year-old girl at a party in San Diego in October 2021.

“I am proud and honored to sign a contract with the Chiefs,” Ariaza said in a statement through JL Sports, his representation.

“I am thrilled to be able to continue my NFL career. I want to thank my family, who have been my rock and my many friends who have been unwavering in their support.”

The district attorney’s office in San Diego declined to press criminal charges in December 2022. Two months ago, Araiza was dropped from the girl’s lawsuit.

Ariaza earned the nickname “Punt God” for his high, lengthy kicks at San Diego State and won the Ray Guy Award after setting an NCAA record with a 51.19 punting average.

He was a sixth-round pick by the Bills in the 2022 draft and greatly impressed with his booming boots during the preseason before the allegations came out.

Now the Chiefs, led by general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid, are bringing him onboard shortly after winning their second straight Super Bowl.

“We are grateful to Brett Veach, coach Reid and the Chiefs organization for giving Matt this opportunity,” Joe Linta of TL Sports wrote on social media.

Tommy Townsend, Kansas City’s punter over the last four seasons, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next month. He was a Pro Bowl pick in 2022.

–Field Level Media