San Diego, CA — San Diego State overcame a depleted roster, a furious fourth-quarter comeback and a dramatic finish Saturday night, holding on for a 31-29 victory over Texas State in the inaugural Pac-12 Conference game for both programs.
The Aztecs entered the night severely shorthanded, with 13 players unavailable because of a mumps outbreak within the program. They were also without their top two rushers, Javion Kinnard and Lucky Sutton, who were sidelined by injuries suffered during last week’s 41-16 loss at Toledo.
Yet San Diego State found enough answers to escape with the victory.
Special teams and defense provided the early spark, while freshman running back Josiah Lucas stepped into a larger role and delivered one of the biggest performances of the night.
Lucas carried 21 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns, giving the Aztecs a much-needed presence in the running game.
Jaylon Hawkins then provided the game’s biggest momentum swing to open the second half, taking the kickoff back for a touchdown and immediately putting San Diego State back in control.
The Aztecs added another defensive touchdown when Cameron Cooper intercepted a pass and returned it 32 yards for a score, giving San Diego State a 31-22 advantage.
Cooper was a factor throughout the game. Before his pick-six, he came up with another major special-teams play late in the first half when he blocked Jacob Bonilla’s 35-yard field-goal attempt.
San Diego State appeared to have the game under control entering the fourth quarter, but Texas State refused to go away.
Brad Jackson kept the Bobcats’ offense moving throughout the night, completing 27 of 43 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns. Beau Sparks was his favorite target, catching 10 passes for 153 yards.
Sparks’ biggest reception came with 1:54 remaining, when he hauled in a 40-yard touchdown that cut the San Diego State lead to 31-29.
Texas State had another opportunity moments earlier after Josh Hunter made a critical defensive stop, bringing down Arvis Battle Jr. short of the goal line on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
The Bobcats appeared to have another chance when a low snap resulted in Jayden Denegal losing his footing and falling in the end zone for a safety. The play cut San Diego State’s lead to 24-22 with 3:01 remaining.
But Texas State’s momentum lasted only briefly.
On the next play from scrimmage, Cooper stepped in front of a pass, intercepted it and raced 32 yards into the end zone for the decisive defensive touchdown.
The Bobcats continued to fight, but the Aztecs’ defense ultimately made enough plays to preserve the victory.
San Diego State built its lead in the third quarter behind Lucas and a suddenly explosive offense. Lucas scored on touchdown runs of 2 and 7 yards as the Aztecs outscored Texas State 21-0 in the third quarter.
That surge turned what had been a tightly contested game into a seven-point San Diego State advantage entering the fourth.
For the Aztecs, the victory was about more than simply getting back into the win column. They had to navigate a roster depleted by illness and injuries while asking younger players to assume expanded roles.
Lucas answered that challenge in the running game. Hawkins delivered the game’s opening-half-changing play. Cooper provided the special-teams block and two of the game’s biggest defensive moments.
Texas State, meanwhile, leaves San Diego knowing it had multiple opportunities to steal the game but could not finish the job.
The Bobcats dropped to 2-3, while San Diego State improved to 2-3.
Up Next:
Texas State: The Bobcats return home to host Colorado State on Oct. 15.
San Diego State: The Aztecs hit the road next Saturday for a matchup at Oregon State.
