The Aztecs return home at Snapdragon Stadium after a bye week, to face CAL in a crucial early season matchup. San Diego State, though only at 1-1, have a daunting task ahead of them in both winning the game, but also showing the San Diego community they are on the right track.
WEEK 4: San Diego State Aztecs vs. California Golden Bears
WHEN: Saturday, September 20th, 2025, 7:30 PM PST | 10:30 PM EST
WHERE: Snapdragon Stadium; San Diego, California (35,000)
TV: CBS Sports Network
STREAM: Mountain West Network (www.themw.com)
SERIES RECORD: Cal leads 5-4. Last match: Sept. 14, 2024- Cal won 31-10.
ODDS: San Diego State +12.5
San Diego, California– The SDSU Aztecs (1-1, 0-0 Mountain West) host the California Golden Bears (3-0, 0-0 ACC) in their third match of the season at Snapdragon Stadium. Fans were left reeling on September 6th when the 1-0 Aztecs, under head coach Sean Lewis, were routed 13-36 in Pullman against the Washington State Cougars. Despite an early lead, Aztec fans watched Wazzu coach Jimmy Rogers do to the Aztecs what many had anticipated Sean Lewis would do to the rebuilding Cougars.
An epic collapse including 29 unanswered points against SDSU gave fans flashbacks of the 2024 season.
GET TO KNOW THE GOLDEN BEARS
Justin Wilcox is in his ninth season as head coach of the California Golden Bears. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dave Wilcox, he was a defensive back for the Oregon Ducks before entering coaching. Wilcox and the Golden Bears are off to a hot 3-0 start, thanks in no small part to the contribution of offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin.
Cal’s true freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele put on another stellar performance last week throwing for a career-high 279 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-14 victory over the Minnesota Gophers at Cal’s Memorial Stadium. He was named ACC Rookie Of The Week twice in the first three weeks this season. He is undoubtedly a shining star.
On the season Sagapolutele has completed 67 percent of his passes for 780 yards and six touchdowns and one interception. Trond Grizzell and Jacob De Jesus have together connected for 324 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Mark Hamper has 9 receptions.
The Golden Bears ground game averages 121.3 yards per match, and Kendrick Raphael leads the way with 201 yards and 1 touchdown. This season the passing game is the focal point of Cal’s offensive strategy, and it has proven to be a winning formula. With new offensive strategist and former Hawai’i Rainbow head coach, Nick Rolovich also on staff—Wilcox’s offensive unit is action packed, full of experience, and brimming with creative play calling potential.
California’s defense is highly dynamic, spearheaded by linebackers Cade Uluave and Ryan McCulloh, as well as defensive back Hezekiah Masses. They have stymied opposing offenses putting quarterbacks on their heels and forcing turnovers.
Cal is a remarkably disciplined, highly-prepared team.
Defensively, Cal has allowed 10.7 points and 280 yards per game. Luke Ferrelli leads the Golden Bears with 27 tackles, TJ Bush Jr. has 2 sacks and Hezekiah Masses has managed 3 interceptions.
AZTECS COMING OFF A BYE WEEK
The Aztecs showed signs of progress during their season opener, however they have also lost 7 of their last 8 games. Quarterback Jayden Denegal has completed 50.9 percent of his passes for 340 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Jacob Bostick and Jordan Napier have combined for 188 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, and Mikey Welsh has 1 reception.
While the Aztecs have struggled to convert third downs, they shine brightly in avoiding turnovers thus far. Coach Lewis has a mantra: “ball security is job security.” Although that is partially true: winning is the ultimate job security. The Aztecs will be tested by Cal who has managed at least one turnover in every match this season.
The Aztecs ground game has averaged 155 yards per contest. Lucky Sutton leads the way with 188 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Defensively, San Diego State is allowing 18 points and 245.5 yards per game. Tano Letuli leads the Aztecs with 19 tackles, August Salvati has 1.5 sacks and Dalesean Staley has 3 pass deflections.
KEYS TO A SAN DIEGO STATE VICTORY
1. Get Lucky
Lucky Sutton had 15 carries for 88 yards, largely in the first quarter of the road match at Washington State. Then, for reasons Aztecs fans do not understand, Sutton saw limited ball play for the remainder of the game. Had he continued rushing, with nearly six yards per carry against a strong Cougs defense, he might have doubled his output, and SDSU might have converted more third downs. The Aztecs must let Sutton do what he does best to move the chains.
2. Hog The Ball
There are many facets here. First, Aztecs must continue disallowing turnovers to Cal, but they must also work to obtain turnovers from Cal. Secondly, an advantage to a more active run game is a steady and gradual progression down the field, while erasing valuable time off the clock when it is practical. Third, when senior Trey White and co. create defensive pressure against wunderkind quarterback Sagapolutele: fumbles, strips, and picks are increasingly likely.
3. Shine At Secondary
The Aztecs secondary will have a tall order against the Golden Bears. Sagapolutele will be air mailing the ball to a whole cast of supporting wide receivers. Aztecs cornerback Chris Johnson, safety Dalesean Staley, and others will have the dual responsibilities of denying ongoing pass receptions and intercepting any balls thrown off mark. In this game, Cal offense will be passing the ball repeatedly, so opportunities for picks will be in the air. One or two picks could change the outlook of this game.
PREDICTION
The Aztecs are facing a dynamic opponent. Considering their terrible performance in Pullman, it is now hard to envision them overpowering California, but it is a home game and the Aztecs have had two weeks to prep for this heavyweight contest.
Never say never and never say always. Is it possible for SDSU to have a miraculous Saturday? Yes, but all of the data, simulations and past play thus far make a strong case for favored California to come out on top, and by a comfortable margin.
FINAL SCORE
San Diego State 17, California 28
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