By Keith Antigiovanni
The San Diego State Aztecs (SDSU) opened the 2023 regular season with a 20-13 victory over the Ohio Bobcats at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday August 26. Senior quarterback Jalen Mayden connected with fellow Senior tight end Jake Redman on two touchdowns to provide the margin of victory for the Aztecs. Mayden completed 17 of 27 passes for 141 yards, two touchdowns and also added 24 rushing yards. Redman led the team in receiving for the game with 62 yards on 5 receptions.
The Aztec defense stepped us as well with two interceptions, one just before the half by Senior Cedarious Barfield that set up the first score to Redman, a 13- yard pass on the on the final play of the half that put SDSU in the lead, 10-6 at halftime.
In the second half SDSU added another field goal by Senior Jake Browning and the second touchdown pass to Redman from 4 yards out to give the Aztecs a 20-6 fourth quarter lead. Ohio cut the deficit to a touchdown on a 3- yard touchdown pass from CJ Harrison to Miles Cross, 20-13 with 2:04 left in the game.
The Bobcats onside kick failed but the Aztecs were unable to run out the clock however Ohio’s final drive was foiled by SDSU Sophomore linebacker New Zealand Williams to preserve the win.
Head Coach Brady Hoke enters his fourth year in his second stint as the SDSU skipper (24-12). Thus far he’s had an inconsistent return. His first season, the Covid-shortened 2020 season, the Aztecs went 4-4 and were forced to play in Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson because of the removal of the SDCCU Stadium, formerly known as Qualcomm Stadium, and the construction of Snapdragon Stadium.
The 2021 season was a vast improvement as the program finished 12-2, won the Mountain West division championship and Frisco Bowl, 38-24 over UTSA as the construction of Snapdragon Stadium continued throughout early 2022. The 2022 season opened Snapdragon Stadium but the season was disappointing as the Aztecs dropped to 7-5 in the regular season and lost in the Hawaii Bowl, 25-23 to Middle Tennessee State.
The SDSU Aztecs next contest will be Saturday September 2 at Snapdragon Stadium against Idaho State at 7:30pm.
Image Credit: Canva
