Aztecs Steamroll New Mexico State Aggies 31-10 in Las Cruces
The Aztecs look better and better with each passing week. Now 3-0, San Diego State take on Utah State next in their conference opener.
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Coach Rocky Long has a love-hate relationship with New Mexico State. He loves to hate the Aggies.
Las Cruces, NM– Quarterback Josh Adkins and the Aggies had high hopes for their game against the Aztecs, but New Mexico State was outclassed on nearly every front, as Ryan Agnew commanded an effective spread offense and Kyahva Tezino and company took care of business on defense.
SDSU’s 31-10 win in front of 10,123 fans at Aggie Memorial Stadium gives the Aztecs a 3-0 record for the third time in four years
For the Aztecs offense, it was a tale of two halves- both with good endings. In the first half, SDSU controlled the field with its new spread formation and a strikingly solid passing game. Quarterback Ryan Agnew completed 17 of 26 passes in the game including all but four first half completions for 116 yards and one touchdown.
San Diego State built a 17-0 lead by halftime, capitalizing off of the Aggies’ woes. The Aztecs dominated time of possession in the first half, controlling the football for more than 21 minutes, with defense forcing turnovers throughout the half.
During the second half, SDSU tailbacks took over. Sophomore tailbacks Jordan Byrd and Chance Bell were highly productive. Bell finished the game with 17 carries for 116 rushed yards, and Albuquerque native Byrd managed 118 yards on 22 carries. Chase Jasmin also ran five times for 29 yards before leaving the game with an ankle injury, joining senior running back captain Juwan Washington on the sideline. The Aztecs managed 47 carries for 281 yards averaging 6 yards per carry. . .
Only in the third quarter did New Mexico State mount an offensive. They reduced their deficit to 14 points by the third quarter’s final minute, thanks to Adkins’ touchdown pass to Robert Downs III, and senior place kicker Dylan Brown’s 46-yard field goal.
San Diego State would tack on one more touchdown early in the fourth quarter and then shut down the Aggies for the remainder of the game.
New Mexico State is not the most formidable opponent the Aztecs face this season, but this game illustrated that SDSU has a passing game, a productive running game (even with an injured Juwan Washington), an elite defense- and a lot of other tools in its bag.
Next, San Diego State faces the Aggies of Utah State. Yes: back-to-back Aggies, this time at home, in their conference play opener.