By Keith Antigiovanni
Quarterback Jalen Mayden’s 56-yard touchdown run with 6:50 in the game clinched the San Diego State (SDSU) Aztecs win over the Idaho State Bengals, 36-28, to win its second straight in as many games at Snapdragon Stadium, Saturday September 2.
Aztec QB Jalen Mayden was relatively unproductive in the passing game as he completed 13 of 19 passes for only 87 yards but Mayden did his best on the ground rushing for 132 yards on only 8 carries for an average of 16.5 yards per carry and two rushing touchdowns.
SDSU held a 20-13 at the half on Mayden’s first touchdown, a 24-yard run, Sophomore Jaylon Armstead’s 4- yard touchdown run and Jack Browning’s two field goals (36, 41). Idaho State scored a touchdown before half on a 24 -yard scoring pass from Freshman quarterback Jordan Cooke to Christian Frederickson but the game turned when the Aztecs defense scored a safety on the Bengals midway through the third quarter. SDSU added to their lead on the ensuing possession after the free kick on Sophomore Martin Blake’s scoring run from 3 yards out to increase its’ lead, 29-13 into the fourth quarter.
Idaho State added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter on an 8- yard scoring strike to Sophomore receiver James Chedon from Freshman quarterback Hunter Hays but Mayden’s fourth quarter touchdown run put the game out of reach. ISU added another touchdown late in the game on a Hays 2- yard touchdown run for the final score of the contest.
The SDSU defense not only stepped the game changing safety but added two more interceptions, Senior Cedarious Barfield’s second interception of the season, Senior cornerback Noah Tumblin and Junior corner Dezjohn Malone also had interceptions to bring the team total to 6 through 2 games.
The Aztecs now have two straight wins at home against non -conference opponents but the first big test of the young season comes this Saturday against the PAC-12 opponent UCLA Bruins visit Snapdragon Stadium. UCLA is coming off a 27-13 victory over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers to open its’ season. The Aztecs are 0-21-1 against their rival to the North all time.
Adding to the storyline is this summer there were rumors that SDSU could be joining the PAC-12 in 2024 but after the conference announced its’ future television contract in early August an exodus of teams ensued as Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado announced a move to the BIG-12 next season, Oregon and Washington followed with a move to the BIG-10 for 2024 and just recently Stanford and California-Berkeley were approved to join the Atlantic Coast Conference(ACC) in 2024 on Friday along with former Southwest Conference (SWC) power Southern Methodist University. Southern California (USC) and UCLA previously announced a move to the BIG-10 in 2024 in the Summer of 2022.
The Aztecs announced their intention to stay in the Mountain West Conference or they had never officially left shortly before the PAC-12 television contract had been announced.
Image Credit: Canva
