Riding high on momentum, the 4-1 Aztecs hit the road to take on a struggling 1-4 Nevada Wolf Pack who should not be overlooked.
WEEK 7: Nevada Wolf Pack vs. San Diego State Aztecs
WHEN: Saturday, October 11th , 2025, 7:30 PM PST | 10:30 PM EST
WHERE: Mackay Stadium; Reno, Nevada (30,000)
TV: CBS Sports Network
STREAM: Mountain West Network (www.themw.com)
SERIES RECORD: SDSU leads this series 9-7. Nevada won the last match Oct. 21, 2023.
ODDS: San Diego State -7.5
Reno, NV– The SDSU Aztecs (4-1, 1-0 MW) travel to “The Biggest Little City in the World” for their second conference match of this final Mountain West season, to square off against the struggling Nevada Wolf Pack (1-4, 0-1 MW) as conference mates for one final time.
Last week in Snapdragon Stadium, Coach Sean Lewis’s Aztecs walloped the Colorado State Rams 45-24 in front of an impressive crowd of energized fans. Despite giving up points at home for just the first time in 2025, the Aztecs produced a stellar 45-point result fueled by dynamic offense, and growing confidence. They bring that momentum to Reno on Saturday.
Now, let’s take a closer look at Nevada.
GET TO KNOW THE 2025 WOLF PACK
Jeff Choate, the Wolf Pack’s 28th head coach, came from Texas, where he was co-defensive coordinator / inside linebackers coach for the Longhorns since 2021. Under Choate, Longhorn defense was #1 in Big XII rush defense, red-zone defense, scoring defense, and total defense as the Longhorns produced a 12-1 record, a Big XII title, and a College Football Playoff ticket.
Prior to the Longhorns, Choate was head coach at Montana State for four seasons (2016-19).
Nevada is complicated. Despite being 1-4 overall, Fresno State barely beat the Wolf Pack. Prior to that, however, Nevada barely defeated Sacramento State (FCS) at home. It’s also notable in their losses against Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky that Nevada led both games in the fourth quarter. Not much separates Nevada from a 4-1 record. The potential to win is there, but Nevada clearly struggles to close games out.
In the Wolf Pack’s 20-17 loss to Fresno State, Nevada led 3-0 after the first quarter but allowed 20 points in the second quarter. They scored twice in the second half while holding the Bulldogs scoreless- but still came up short. The Wolf Pack were out gained 342-246 yards, went 7-14 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle 4-1.
True freshman quarterback Carter Jones entered in the second half and went 11-15 for 121 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He showed a quarterback effectiveness that has been largely missing. Caleb Ramseur rushed 16 times for 77 yards in the loss. Nate Burleson II led receiving with one reception for 45 yards in the game.
Chubba Purdy has been Nevada’s starting quarterback, but he’s unpredictable. The former four-star recruit (and Brock’s brother) is a dual threat. He was Nevada’s leading rusher in their first four games but has struggled with consistency. He has thrown for 494 passing yards, one touchdown, and SIX interceptions this year. His passing game is problematic, and from it, Nevada has the worst turnover margin in the Mountain West (-6).
Carter Jones might be starting quarterback for Nevada this Saturday after his impressive second-half against Fresno State.
Wolf Pack running backs Caleb Ramseur and Herschel Turner have 236 and 215 rushing yards respectively this season, and wideout Marcus Bellon has 193 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Wolf Pack has made considerable progress. They now rank third in the Mountain West with 10 sacks and are second in tackles-for-loss (23). This improvement could prove a challenge for SDSU’s offensive line, and lead to another low-scoring road game. With Choate as head coach, these stats should only continue to improve.
The Wolf Pack are currently averaging 14.2 points per game with 143.4 passing yards and 177.2 rushing yards per game, while they are allowing 25.6 points against per game this season. They have not yet beaten an FBS opponent in 2025.
THE AZTECS FOLLOWING A THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
San Diego State moved to 4-1 after crushing Colorado State 45-24 in their last game. San Diego State led 28-10 at the half and then blew the game out of reach with 10 points in the third quarter. The Aztecs out gained CSU by a total of 541 to 355 yards, went 7 for 11 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at zero in the game.
QB1 Jayden Denegal went 13-16 (81.2%) for 256 yards and two touchdowns, while Byron Cardwell Jr rushed 15 times for 129 yards and one score, and Lucky Sutton rushed 21 times for 113 yards. Jordan Napier caught seven passes for 153 yards and one touchdown to lead the receivers.
On defense SDSU managed four sacks and eight tackles-for-loss in the game.
The Aztecs are averaging 30.8 points per game with 185.8 passing yards and 175.4 rushing yards per game, while they are allowing 12.6 points against per game this season. On the season, Denegal has completed 63.3% of his passes for 892 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Napier has 32 receptions for 443 yards and two scores. Sutton has led the rushing attack with 450 yards and five touchdowns on 88 carries this year.
KEYS TO A SAN DIEGO STATE VICTORY
1. Stymie The Wolf Pack Run
The Wolf Pack will try to run, run, and run the ball because their passing game is so dismal (especially with Purdy under center). In many respects Nevada could resemble Northern Illinois’ run-heavy offense.
If the Aztecs hold the Wolf Pack ground game to 175 yards or less, it will be almost impossible for the Wolf Pack to win.
2. Fast and Furious Road Offense
The Aztecs play balanced offense at home in Snapdragon Stadium, but they have struggled on the road. If Denegal and Co. establish a strong and rapid offensive in enemy territory while outhustling Nevada’s aggressive defense, they could break the spell and put this game out of reach.
On the other hand, if SDSU struggles offensively as they did at NIU, this could be another low-score defensive slug fest with the edge going to SDSU thanks to deadeye kicker Gabriel Plascencia.
3. Complicate Carter
It is probable Carter Jones will be the Wolf Pack’s starting quarterback in Saturday’s game, following his breakout second half against Fresno. A true freshman, Carter could be effectively rattled if the Aztecs’ intimidating defense repeatedly takes him down.
Playing under pressure could lead to turnovers if Trey White and Co. live rent free in Carter’s head, if they sack him early and often.
PREDICTION
Jeff Choate and the Wolf Pack have danced around victory in most of their matches, including last week against Fresno State. This team could get their act together at some point. Choate is an accomplished, former Longhorns coach. SDSU must be prepared for a serious road battle, even if they are favored to win.
The Aztecs have played differently away from Snapdragon Stadium, as we’ve witnessed against Wazzu and NIU. This game has the potential to be a road confidence builder, but SDSU cannot take Nevada for granted. If Jones starts as quarterback, this team may play differently than earlier in the season. Nevada is fighting to turn the corner with a big win.
This will likely be a close match. SDSU should walk away with a one-possession victory.
FINAL SCORE
San Diego State 24, Nevada 17
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