SAN DIEGO — Oregon State’s dynamic running back duo of Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson lead the Beavers to a 21-0 shutout victory over the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium.
Entering the game the key contributors for both teams were their tailbacks, as the three were coming off impressive performances during the opening week of the season.
However, the Aztecs were not able to replicate what they accomplished against Texas A&M Commerce. Oregon State’s defense was aware of the AztecFAST game plan, limiting running back Marquez Cooper to 72 total yards of offense (53 rushing and 19 receiving).
Cooper did have opportunities to pad his stats, but a pair of 10-plus yard runs were called back on holding penalties. The Aztec offense were penalized eight times including four holding calls.
“Anytime you have those self-inflicted wounds they really hurt,” said Aztec head coach Sean Lewis. “The Aztecs beat the Aztecs in a lot of areas tonight.”
Griffin led the backfield again for the Beavers, rushing for 89 yards on 18 carries. On OSU’s opening possession, Griffin made a shifty move to jump to the outside and dove in to score his third touchdown of the season.
His 16 yard touchdown run would be the game's only points scored until the fourth quarter. Before halftime, OSU kicker Everett Hayes missed a 38-yard field goal wide right.
During the first play to start the fourth quarter, Hankerson cashed in on a 15-yard touchdown run. On the fourth and one call, Hankerson saw an open field to the left side and was able to get past the SDSU defensive back to the outside.
“We were really prepared for everything, we just didn’t execute how we should have,” said Johnson
Hankerson finished the night with 16 carries, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and rushing for 71 yards.
OSU’s tight end Bryce Caufield scored the final points of the game from a 21-yard TD pass from Gevani McCoy to the right corner of the end zone. McCoy completed 15-of-25 throwing for 181 yards and a touchdown for OSU.
On 13 targets, wide receiver Trent Walker led the Beavers in receiving with eight catches and 92 receiving yards, including a 41 yard catch and run.
SDSU freshman quarterback Danny O’Neil had a tough outing, not being able to get into any rhythm. While suffering an injury earlier in the game, O’Neil went 11-for-24 throwing for 107 yards.
“There’s probably no one more disappointed in that locker room right now than him,” said Lewis. ”He’s a relentless competitor… He’ll learn and he’ll grow through this.”
An issue for O’Neil and SDSU was the offensive line play, who lost transfer starting left tackle Joe Borjon for the season after tearing his ACL during last week's game against TAMCU.
“We’re moving the pieces around that we do have that are available,” said Lewis
Junior Christian Jones shifted from left guard to left tackle and started junior Myles Murao at left guard. SDSU was flagged for holding four times in the game as their offensive line readjusted.
The best highlight of the night for the Aztecs was a 35-yard go route to junior Colorado State transfer Louis Brown IV, giving the offense their best chance to get points on the board. That opportunity would quickly shut three plays later as O’Neil fumbled at the 2-yard line running a keeper.
The Aztecs were able to get into opposing territory only twice. In the first half, they never crossed over midfield.
The pivotal factor in this game was lack of plays and time of possession for the Aztecs. SDSU's longest possession was for 2:43 on six total plays, which was their most plays ran on a drive.
As a whole, SDSU’s offense had a total of 12 possessions and eight of them ended on a punt. The other four drives included a fumble, a turnover on downs and two end of halves.
Meanwhile, Oregon State had 11 total drives and punted the ball five times. The Beavers offense had two 13-play drives, one of them led to their second touchdown of the night.
That possession ended up taking 8:04 off the clock.OSU's next longest drive was for 6:53 that ended on a turnover on downs.
Of note for the Aztecs was their defense. Other than the two fourth quarter TDs, the defense forced stops and kept SDSU within striking distance .
“I thought they did an unbelievable job tonight,” said Lewis. “Those guys are competing at a really high level. It’s going to take all of us in all three phases to put a complete game together.”
The Beavers 41:07 total time with the ball gassed out the Aztecs defense along with the offense only putting up 18:53 time of possession.
Next week the Aztecs will play on the road at 7:30 p.m. against the California Golden Bears (2-0), who are coming off a close road win against Auburn.