AztecFast took on a whole new meaning in SDSU’s 44-10 victory over Nevada Saturday night. A punt return touchdown from Jordan Napier, and interception return touchdown by Chris Johnson had the Aztecs running in the right direction up 14-0 before CBS Sports could even broadcast it over the airwaves.
By the time the Wyoming Cowboys defeated San Jose State and the network could switch over to the Aztecs, we knew what kind of game this was going to be.
The Nation is quickly learning you cannot give this Aztecs team a two score lead so early and expect to make a comeback. Aztecs fans are quickly learning as well.
In a season that was largely going to be defined if 2nd year head coach Sean Lewis could lead this team to bowl eligibility, those expectations are going to be met with whichever next opponent SDSU defeats. By the looks of things that achievement could be unlocked for the Aztecs sooner than expected.
The Aztecs on this night in Reno took control defensively right away against a true freshman, Carter Jones who just a week ago almost led a comeback to knock off Fresno State. Against the Aztecs it just wasn’t going to happen.
Though the Aztecs only recorded Trey White’s lone sack on the night, all game long they confused the young QB with looks, pressures and hard hitting that demoralized the efforts of the Wolf Pack.
Dwayne McDougal’s interception shut down another 1st half drive further frustrating the young QB’s mental awareness of the defense. When Nevada got deep inside SDSU territory on another drive, the Aztecs closed the door on a 4th down try to take possession and end any scoring threat for the first half.
The Aztecs defense through six games is Top-10 in the Nation in points allowed—standing at only 50 total so far this season. That ranks up there with the likes of Ohio State (41).
All three phases of the game were dominant against the overmatched Wolf Pack however. Jayden Denegal led the offense to another outstanding performance throwing 14 of 17 completions for 205 yards and 2 TDs. It was a fantastic follow up performance to his big play ability and leadership shown last week in their 45-24 victory over Colorado State.
But the questions on whether he could do so on the road were answered in his pocket presence afforded by another outstanding outing by the offensive line. When Denegal has the time to throw he is able to read the defense and deliver the strike from the pocket or rolling out in either direction.
His ability to check the play in the RPO game and gash the defense with run plays of his own is another weapon that slices up the opponent when they feel all other options have been checked. Denegal’s 4 carries for 40 yards is a terrific stat line that just adds to more game prep opposing defenses will have to account for.
Lucky Sutton led the running backs with 76 yards on just 16 carries and 1 TD. His physical running style was again a force the Wolf Pack could just not handle. Often times his first contact with a defender was always moving them backwards as he continued his nearly 5 yards per carry average.
Jordan Napier again flexed his playmaking ability with the punt return for the score. It was only a matter of time for his abilities to culminate in that special teams score. The fluidity of his instinctual ball carrying ways had been flirting with a breakout score in previous punt returns.
Through the air Napier collected 5 catches for 110 yards and almost took a short reception to the house before being knocked out of bounds just short of the goal line. Donovan Brown hauled in 4 catches for 58 yards and has begun to flourish in the offense as each game goes by.
RB Christian Washington caught a short TD play out of the backfield kept the defense off balance and Jacob Bostick’s one catch for 31 yards came for a TD as Denegal found him in stride to further frustrate the Wolf Pack’s efforts.
Gabriel Plascencia’s three field goals furthered his consecutive streak to 22 dating back to last season. His automatic scoring machine ways are a source of confidence that absolutely permeates through-out the team. His kick offs booming passed the end zones give no chance to opposing returners.
Punter Hunter Green has begun to see his opportunities shorten with the SDSU offense being so productive lately. But he is making the most of his chances kicking 3 punts at an average of 50 yards per kick.
Ultimately the Aztecs took the next step with this victory over Nevada. The doubt of this SDSU team to start the season was if they were able to improve from last year’s struggles. They’ve answered that call weeks ago. Next it was about if this team could win convincingly on the road. That doubt was smacked down Saturday in Reno.
Up next the Aztecs have a bye week, the 2nd and final one of the season. After that they travel to Fresno State in what will begin the 2nd half of the season—where things get real. To start that phase of the season against the Bulldogs on the road, against your natural will be a huge next test for this emerging team.
Head Coach Sean Lewis, DC Rob Aurich and the rest of the staff have kept this group together and have them playing some of the most exciting football that this program has seen—and that is saying a lot. It will be a grind the rest of the way out for the Aztecs against much stiffer competition than what they’ve seen so far from the Mountain West.
To this point however it’s been everything SDSU fans have been asking for—pure domination by the Aztecs. They play with swagger and all the other ingredients they profess to be about in the AztecFast acronym. With a win over Fresno State, it will then be the Aztecs fans & alumni’s turn to be what they profess themselves to be about and show up in full support by Homecoming vs Wyoming, Nov 1st.
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