Well, well, well…the Utah State football team finally made to San Diego. After several hours of sitting on the tarmack back in Logan, Utah due to the FAA’s grounding of all aircraft in the United States, the Aggies arrived in America’s Finest City shortly after 9pm PST.
Let the games begin! San Diego State hosts the Utah State Aggies for SDSU’s Senior Night and it is already a memorable meeting due to slight setback. No setback for Sean Lewis’ team that is.
The Aztecs return after a bye week and both teams are in similar positions, both needing to finish strong to earn bowl eligibility and a long shot into the PAC-12 Championship game.
It’s been a topsy turvy last few weeks in the conference, so let’s take a look at the keys for each team to pull out the win, improve on their upward momentum, and set up the rest of their season for a competitive and hopeful finish.
San Diego State Will Win If They …
1. Let Lucky Sutton and Javion Kinnard Lead the Offense
SDSU’s two-headed rushing attack has become its biggest offensive strength. Sutton and Kinnard have combined for 1,086 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Against Washington State, Sutton rushed for 115 yards, while Kinnard added 87 yards and two touchdowns.
2. Let Stone Saunders Build on His Confidence
Redshirt freshman quarterback Stone Saunders earned his first career victory against Washington State, completing 12 of 21 passes for 102 yards. Head coach Sean Lewis has confirmed that Saunders will remain the starting quarterback against Utah State, while veteran Jayden Denegal continues to recover from an ankle injury.
3. Take Advantage of Utah State’s Offensive Limitations
Utah State has struggled to consistently score, managing just 17 against Fresno State and 31 against Colorado State. The Aggies have also been dealing with availability concerns involving quarterback Grady Brosterhous and leading receiver Eli Wood, who have both missed recent games.
Utah State Will Win If They …
1. Aggie Defense Shuts Down the Running Game
Utah State is allowing just 113.4 rushing yards per game, ranking among the top 30 nationally. With Javion Kinnard and Lucky Sutton serving as major pieces of SDSU’s offense, the Aztecs cannot afford to become predictable or struggle to establish the run.
2. Hit Explosive Plays Through the Air
SDSU’s defense has surrendered 285.3 passing yards per game, ranking 135th nationally. Utah State’s Eli Wood has been a productive receiver, recording 479 receiving yards and five touchdowns this season.
3. Gain Extra Possessions
Utah State has won four of its last five meetings against SDSU, including a 41–20 victory in 2024. The Aggies also rank 38th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 20.6 points per game. Turnovers and empty offensive possessions could make this matchup particularly difficult.
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