FRESNO, Calif. — Saturday proved to be a memorable day for the San Diego State Aztecs, who won their fifth straight game with a 23-0 shutout over the Fresno State Bulldogs at Valley Children’s Stadium.
The win was a massive statement for head coach Sean Lewis and his program. Sitting second in the Mountain West, the Aztecs remain undefeated in conference play (3-0) alongside Boise State as the only teams without a league loss and recorded their third shutout this season.
Another key takeaway: San Diego State is bowl eligible for the first time since 2022, when it fell to Middle Tennessee State in the Hawai‘i Bowl. This will mark Lewis’ first bowl appearance with the Aztecs and his third overall as a head coach. He previously led Kent State to the 2019 Frisco Bowl (a win) and the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (a loss).
Now 6-1 overall, the turnaround under Lewis has been remarkable. The Aztecs won just three games last season and ended the year on a six-game losing streak.
A year of self-reflection, reevaluation, and recommitment to the program’s core values has clearly paid off for Lewis, his staff, and his players.
Coming off a bye week, and a dominant performance against Nevada the week before, San Diego State didn’t have its sharpest outing offensively. Still, the defense rose to the occasion and powered the Aztecs past a talented Fresno State squad.
Quarterback Jayden Denegal was inconsistent through the air, finishing 11-of-19 (58%) for 124 yards and an interception. He added 30 yards on eight carries, ranking second on the team in rushing.
Denegal briefly exited in the third quarter after what appeared to be a left shoulder injury but returned on the following possession. Afterward, he was seen wearing a sling, and the Aztecs shifted toward a more run-heavy approach.
That adjustment worked in favor of Lucky Sutton, who carried the ball 21 times for a career-high 131 yards and a touchdown. Sutton’s day was fueled by a dominant performance from the offensive line, including a 47-yard burst late in the third quarter that sealed his milestone outing.
The receiving corps had a quiet afternoon, combining for just 65 yards. The Aztecs leading receiver Jordan Napier only posted 14 yards on four catches, and Byron Cardwell Jr. provided a spark with a 54-yard catch that set up Sutton’s one-yard touchdown run.
Once again, the defense set the tone. Fresno State quarterback Carson Conklin threw for 182 yards and two interceptions, one returned 31 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Tano Letuli. The Aztecs also held the Bulldogs to just 45 rushing yards on 22 attempts (2.0 per carry).
San Diego State’s defense limited Fresno State to 5-for-16 on third downs, controlled time of possession (31:51 to 28:09), and converted two turnovers into 10 points.
Kicker Gabriel Plascencia went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts from 42, 50, and 27 yards. He has now made 25 consecutive field goals, the most by any kicker in the nation. On his first field goal of the game, Plascencia also broke the Mountain West record for most consecutive makes.
Overall, the Aztecs outgained the Bulldogs in total yards, rushing yards, completion percentage, and yards per play, a complete team effort capped by their first shutout of the season.
Next Saturday, the Scarlet and Black return to Snapdragon Stadium for the first time since Oct. 3 to host the Wyoming Cowboys. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network and San Diego Sports 760.