San Diego, CA — San Diego State once again found itself chasing the game after a scoreless first half.
For the second consecutive week, the Aztecs were unable to put points on the board before halftime, and this time the early deficit proved too difficult to overcome.
James Madison built a 19-0 halftime advantage and held off a second-half push from San Diego State to leave Snapdragon Stadium with a 26-13 victory Saturday night.
The loss dropped the Aztecs to 1-2, while the Dukes remained unbeaten at 3-0.
San Diego State eventually found its offensive rhythm, but James Madison’s early control and a few critical plays in the second half allowed the Dukes to maintain enough separation.
Running back Javion Kinnard was the centerpiece of the Aztecs’ offense, carrying 33 times for 181 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Jayden Denegal added 209 passing yards and a touchdown, but two interceptions proved costly.
James Madison quarterback Camden Coleman accounted for all three of the Dukes’ touchdowns, throwing for 246 yards and two scores while adding a rushing touchdown. Tight end Cole Keller caught both of Coleman’s touchdown passes.
The Aztecs entered the game wearing their new red “Age of the Jaguar” alternate uniforms, but the early performance belonged to James Madison.
The Dukes outgained San Diego State 281-163 in the opening half and repeatedly kept the Aztecs’ defense on the field.
James Madison wasted little time establishing control.
Coleman immediately attacked the Aztecs through the air, connecting with Braeden Wisloski on a 54-yard deep slant that moved the Dukes deep into San Diego State territory.
Three consecutive rushing plays followed, with Coleman using fly motion with Wisloski and mixing in handoffs to George Pettaway.
That sequence set up first-and-goal at the San Diego State 4-yard line.
Coleman finished the drive himself, keeping the ball on a quick option to the left and racing into the end zone for a touchdown.
San Diego State responded with its best sustained drive of the first half.
Kinnard carried four times and also caught a shovel pass from Denegal, turning it into a 27-yard gain that moved the Aztecs to the edge of the red zone.
But the promising drive ended abruptly.
Under pressure while rolling left, Denegal attempted another shovel pass toward Bert Emanuel Jr. The ball came up short and landed in the hands of James Madison cornerback DJ Kelly for an interception.
The Dukes converted the turnover into more points.
Coleman continued moving the chains with his arm, and James Madison reached the San Diego State 29 before a false-start penalty on second-and-long disrupted the drive.
Morgan Suarez came on and drilled a 46-yard field goal, giving the Dukes a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
James Madison extended its advantage early in the second.
Coleman broke loose for a 19-yard scramble, and San Diego State was penalized for a holding infraction by Josiah Cox. The penalty moved the Dukes inside the Aztecs’ 20-yard line.
San Diego State’s defense stiffened near the goal line, forcing James Madison to settle for another field goal, this one from 32 yards.
The Aztecs finally created a defensive spark when Josh Hunter forced a fumble from Pettaway and Jelani McLaughlin recovered near midfield.
But San Diego State could not capitalize.
The drive ended when Emanuel was stopped on a fourth-down direct snap attempt.
With 91 seconds remaining in the half, the Aztecs received one more opportunity to get on the scoreboard.
Instead, the Dukes delivered another blow.
A pass intended for Justius Lowe was deflected by Kevin Roberts, and linebacker JT Hooten came away with the interception deep in San Diego State territory.
James Madison took over at the Aztecs’ 9-yard line.
Just two plays later, Coleman found Keller for a 7-yard touchdown with 30 seconds remaining before halftime.
San Diego State entered the locker room trailing 19-0.
The Aztecs finally broke through in the third quarter.
After opening the second half with a three-and-out, San Diego State got the ball back and put together an 11-play, 82-yard touchdown drive.
Denegal kept the drive alive with completions to Nathan Acevedo and Jaylon Hawkins before delivering one of his best throws of the night.
He found Emanuel for a 34-yard completion up the far sideline. Emanuel adjusted to an underthrown ball, fought through two defenders and secured the reception to put the Aztecs in goal-to-go territory.
Kinnard finished the drive.
The powerful running back took the ball three yards up the middle and into the end zone, cutting the deficit to 19-7.
That was the only score of the third quarter, but San Diego State appeared to have momentum.
James Madison, however, answered with one of the game’s biggest sequences.
The Dukes faced fourth-and-1 near midfield and decided to keep the offense on the field.
The snap to Coleman was low and briefly appeared to put the play in danger as the Aztecs’ defense closed in.
Coleman recovered, stayed alive and then found Corey Scott for a 20-yard completion along the near sideline.
Three plays later, Coleman connected with Keller for a 20-yard touchdown.
The score pushed James Madison’s lead back to 26-7 and gave the Dukes the breathing room they needed.
San Diego State responded again.
A defensive holding penalty moved the Aztecs deeper into James Madison territory, and after two Kinnard runs, Denegal found Acevedo in the back left corner of the end zone.
Acevedo made an outstanding adjustment, securing the 14-yard touchdown while the defensive back was directly underneath him and even using the defender’s helmet as a point of contact.
The Aztecs attempted a two-point conversion but failed, leaving them down 26-13.
San Diego State immediately got another opportunity when the defense forced James Madison to give the ball back.
Kinnard then broke loose for a 41-yard run on third-and-long, pushing the Aztecs into position to make things interesting.
San Diego State eventually reached the James Madison 19-yard line.
With 4:28 remaining, the Aztecs faced another critical fourth down.
Denegal dropped back and threw toward the end zone, but the pass fell just in front of Jordan Napier.
It was San Diego State’s final serious scoring opportunity.
James Madison took over and was able to close out the victory.
For the Aztecs, Kinnard’s performance was one of the night’s few consistent offensive positives. He carried the ball 33 times, repeatedly keeping San Diego State alive with tough runs between the tackles and explosive gains when holes opened.
But the first-half deficit was simply too much to overcome.
Denegal finished with 209 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while the Aztecs were unable to generate enough offense until after halftime.
James Madison, meanwhile, remained composed whenever San Diego State threatened to make the game close.
The Dukes made the critical plays — particularly Coleman’s fourth-down conversion and his second touchdown connection with Keller — that prevented the Aztecs from completing the comeback.
San Diego State will now turn its attention to another road test.
The Aztecs travel to Toledo next Saturday, Sept. 26, to face the Rockets at the Glass Bowl.
Toledo enters the matchup after an incredible 49-48 overtime victory against Temple, rallying from a 28-14 halftime deficit. Rockets quarterback John Alan Richter threw for 429 yards and four touchdowns in the victory.
Kickoff in Toledo is scheduled for 9 a.m. PT.
