San Diego State lost it’s third straight game this young season when they were dominated by Toledo, 41-16 on the road. The Glass Bowl has been a winless location for SDSU HC Sean Lewis coming into this game week and it remained that way afterwards as the Aztecs drop to 1-3 on the year.
Though the Aztecs scored first with a field goal, marking the first 1st half points in three games, the offense just couldn’t break through to be functional enough for a win.
On the day SDSU was out gained in total yards 494 to 294 by the Rockets who were led by their all-conference QB John Allan Richter. He threw for a 16/22, 3 TDs and 284 passing yards alone. His command of the offense was clear and all his weapons were put at his disposal to fire away.
WR Bryson Hammer was his main target all day long, racking up 6 catches for 133 yards and 2 TDs and on the ground it was Connor Walendzak 16 carries for 66 yards, 1 TD and chipped in with 2 catches for 13 yards as well.
But for the Aztecs it was just a dreadful performance again. QB Jayden Denegal completed 19/31 passes for 206 yards and 1 TD. But it was a 67 yard Interception return for a touchdown that pushed the 2nd half score to 34-3.
To make things tougher on the day, the run game couldn’t gain ground as both top running backs Lucky Sutton and Javion Kennard exited the game early from injuries. On the day SDSU was out-gained in rushing yards—210 for the Rockets, to just 48 for the Aztecs.
“No One Put on the Superman Cape”
Sean Lewis’ offense did score twice in the 2nd half to not make the entire game look like an absolute no-show. The first TD came in the 3rd quarter on a backpeddling pass to the endzone by Denegal to TE Ryan Wolfer on a fantastic grab.
In the 4th quarter, it was redshirt freshman QB Draiden Trudeau who led SDSU on a 9 play drive down the field and scored their final touchdown when he found WR Jaylon Hawkins down the middle of the endzone for 14 yards.
“All 11 of those guys did their jobs.” said SDSU Head Coach Sean Lewis about that final scoring drive. “No one put on the Superman cape. They just did what they were supposed to do.”
Interesting words about the unit that scored that TD. Most were backups and yet they seemed able to execute the gameplan Lewis set forth for them with no error.
“There’s a Reason They’re Our Three and Four”
Not being able to have both rushing leaders in Lucky Sutton & Javion Kinnard really set an offense back that was already struggling with them.
“Now you’re down to your three and your fourth back. And, again, those young kids got great futures, but there’s a reason they’re our three and our four.” Lews said.
Whether expert or not, using the rushing attack to move the ball effectively, control the clock and keep Toledo’s offense on the sideline was the Aztecs #1 goal and pathway towards victory. Not having that option certainly put Lewis and the Aztecs in scramble mode, searching for anything that could work and ride out the rest of the game with.
“We Need to Be Coached Better”
This is the bottom line. Coach Lewis acknowledges it each week.
“We need to be coached better. We need to put our guys in better position to be successful.”
Yet another week of questionable decisions on plays. Either it’s running up the middle on 3rd and long, or it’s attempting an onside kick to start the 2nd half. Coach Lewis is not doing his banged up Aztecs any favors with these miscalculations.
In game leadership has failed from the coaching level as well as the QB level, where Jayden Denegal is assumed to be Lewis’ extension of himself on the field.
But it’s what’s going on off the field that may be the biggest worry. Two weeks ago it was admitted poor preparation for the UCLA game. Last week saw top receiver Jordan Napier lose his coveted #2 jersey. Napier as been switched to #24 due to failed meeting of standards to wear a single digit.
This week both reports of players contracting a breakout of the mumps that sidelined several key players, as well as RB Christian Washington leaving the team for undisclosed reasons at this time. These are unordinary circumstances that without a doubt led towards a devastating performance when all was said and done.
In the end, Toledo’s offense was just too much for an Aztecs defense who has been asked to not only play near perfect but not receive any counter-attack in scoring points to relieve them week–after week–after week.
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