If there’s one thing to say about this years SDSU football team, it’s that they give exciting football when playing at home. The Aztecs held on for a thrilling Halloween victory over Washington State Saturday night, 26-20.
With the victory Sean Lewis’ team improves to 4-5 on the season, 3-2 in Pac-12 conference play, and have beaten the Cougars for just the 2nd time in program history. It took all 4 quarters to do just that.
Washington State coming into last night’s contest had just one victory on their entire season schedule, and that came against FCS Duquesne. However, they had been showing improvement up to this point and they definitely gave the Aztecs all they could handle.
The game turned when an apparent interception in the endzone by the Cougars was overturned after further review of video evidence. The defender had his foot out of bounds when making the pick. The result extended the Aztecs drive giving the offense the chance to reclaim the lead—one the Aztecs would not relinquish.
On the night the Aztecs were led by QB Stone Saunders making just his 2nd start, and 1st at home. The redshirt freshman was just 12/21 for 102 yards and 1 INT. A vast difference from his record setting debut last weekend against the Colorado State Rams.
Despite the back to earth performance the offense was still able to do enough when it all counted. The ground game now fully healthy flexed on the Cougars with their double edged sword. Lucky Sutton’s 115 yards bashed the Cougars defense, while Javion Kinnard’s 87 yards and two touchdowns gashed Washington State’s ability to keep the Aztes bottled in.
The Cougs came into this game allowing just above 114 yards per game. On that extended drive late in the 4th quarter when Lewis’ offense found it tough to punch the football passed the goal line, he had to get really special and use all of his options on the table.
The play of the game called for Lucky Sutton in the wildcat spot receiving the hiked ball, next to him Stone Saunders received the hand off. As he’s being taken to the ground, Saunders then flipped the ball to a reversing Bert Emanual Jr.
The play was almost stopped right then and there but Emanuel Jr. was able to pull back and while on the run toss it to the end zone to a wide open TE Jackson Ford for the touchdown. It was a creative play call that activated four different players and put the pass into the former QB Emanuel Jr.s hands.
The failed extra point left the score at 26-14 and gave the SDSU defense with a cushion to protect. Washington State however wouldn’t go quietly. The Cougs offense would chip their way down the field and when QB Owen Eshelmen ran it in for the 2 yard touchdown score the outlook looked bleak for an Aztecs defense that has had it’s struggles.
But not at home. DC Demetrius Sumler had his defense prepared for this game and the unit had made plays all game long.
The defensive front put pressure on Eshelman through out the game led by lineman Krishna Clay’s 1.5 sacks, along with Gav Lightfoot, Djibril Rahman, and Sione Hala each with half a sack.
One play late in the 2nd half was a pressure by Sione Hala to force Eshelmen into a forced pass. That’s when defensive edge Kai Wallin reached up and picked him off. Wallin who already set a season high 3 sack night earlier this season vs Fresno State showed his flair for playmaking when he returned the pick 16 yards into Cougar territory.
Though the WSU offense was able to generate 299 yards passing, it was the bend don’t break Aztecs defense that showed up big when they needed to. The Cougs failed 0/3 on each 4th down attempt and largely in part becuase they only gained 68 rushing yards with a 2 yard per attempt average.
On the flipside the Aztecs offensive line held strong with fantastic protection on the night, not allowing any sacks of QB Stone Saunders. Also credit team discipline for only accounting for two penalties all game long.
Overall, it was a game the Aztecs had to win. Coach Lewis and the team should be proud for the victory in front of a less than stellar crowd turn out of which the Halloween celebration and rainy weather certainley were a factor in.
But in the end while the win keeps the SDSU football bowl eligibility hopes still alive, it will take more than these heroics for a one possession victory over a very bad Washington State team, to capture the hearts and minds of San Diego sports fans.
But if for one night and heading into a much needed bye week, the Aztecs should take heart knowing they can be building towards some very good momentum and opportunities that await them in the final stretch of the football season.
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