San Diego State Recap: 31-10 loss to Stanford Cardinal
San Diego State gets burned by the No.13 Stanford
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Juwan Washington tries to carry San Diego State, but the defense is too heavy.
Juwan Washington spoke with Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny before the game and there was no mention of any [link] torch being handed off, but a 22-yard run and a 40-yard run on the Aztecs’ second drive said it all.
Washington ended the game with 158 yards on 24 carries with 1 touchdown, a stat-line that sets up him and San Diego State for future success. Washington running through Stanford’s defense and scoring the lone touchdown for San Diego State were the lone bright spot for the Aztecs season opener.
The 31-10 loss was akin to a pre-test given out on the first day of school. The running back might have earned the only passing grade. Quarterback Christian Chapman went 10 of 15 attempts for 113 yards, couldn’t find a receiver, and took a sack in the end zone that sucked out the chances of victory for the Aztecs. Then the score was 7-2.
Some might point out the Noble Hall interception and fumble as the turning point, but the moment where Stanford put 2 points on the scoreboard buried the Aztecs chances.
San Diego State knew that this is a game Stanford circled. Having lost in San Diego last year to an unranked Mountain West team hurt them. Heisman hopeful Bryce Love was expected to have a monstrous day running all over San Diego State.
Love couldn’t find success in the running game only rushing on 18 attempts for 29 yards. Bottling up Love was Coach Rocky Long’s focus, but a young secondary was exploited in the process. Despite the prep, it was Stanford wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside that flipped the Aztecs defense. Tariq Thompson was getting burned by Arcega-Whiteside who hauled in 3 touchdowns on 6 receptions, 226 yards with a long of 80.
The defense is usually a strength here, but knowing that the secondary is becoming a liability without the likes of Kameron Kelly. Long basically dared K.J. Costello to beat them through the air, and Costello answered. The Aztecs secondary have a lot to learn this season and will get a chance to prove it against FCS-team Sacramento State next week.