Aztecs’ defense takes charge against Wyoming on the way to sixth straight win

They say the best offense is a good defense. If it’s a great defense, so much the better.

San Diego State picked off three passes by Wyoming quarterback Kaden Anderson in the first half of Saturday’s Mountain West game and had a key fumble recovery in the second half, sparking the Aztecs to a 24-7 win before an announced crowd of 24,325 (17,109 turnstile) at Snapdragon Stadium.

SDSU’s sixth straight victory boosted the Aztecs to 7-1 on the season. They are now 4-0 in the Mountain West for the first time since the 2015 and 2016 teams that won back-to-back Mountain West championships.

And don’t look now but an SDSU team picked for eighth place in a preseason media poll stands alone as the only undefeated team in conference games.

That distinction came compliments of a Fresno State team the Aztecs shut out last week. The Bulldogs put the bite on Boise State in a 30-7 upset victory on the Broncos’ blue turf. Boise State fell to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in the conference. The Broncos are off this week before coming to Snapdragon Stadium to face the Aztecs, who travel to Hawaii this week.

“It’s great to have another one, six in a row, as we go into the fourth quarter of the season and to be in the pole position that we are,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said. “Ultimately, that doesn’t matter. We’ve got to get a heck of a lot better as we go forward.”

SDSU came into this game second only to top-ranked Ohio State in scoring defense (10.4 points a game). The Aztecs limited Wyoming to single digits, though the Cowboys (4-5, 2-3 MW) surprised those in attendance by scoring on their opening drive.

Wyoming backup quarterback Landon Sims, inserted for his running ability, tossed a 3-yard pass to running back Sam Scott to give the Cowboys a 7-0 lead 4 1/2 minutes into the game.

It was the first time SDSU trailed in more than a month, since allowing a first-quarter field goal in a 6-3 win Sept. 27 at Northern Illinois. Then, as now, SDSU’s defense smothered the opponent after the score.

Wyoming moved downfield 75 yards on its opening drive. The Cowboys managed 63 yards on their other eight drives combined in the first half. SDSU, ranked third in the nation in total defense (255 ypg), allowed the Cowboys only 185 yards for the game.

“We know we’ve got each other’s backs and we know that’s not acceptable,” SDSU edge Trey White said of Wyoming’s opening drive. “Once we settled in, we just locked in and (allowed) zero points after that.”

“The best thing about that is we’re 7-1 and we still haven’t played a complete game as a team in all three phases,” White said. “The locker room wasn’t as excited as it usually is because we know we can play so much better.

“We’re a really hungry team, and we know we have a lot of play ahead of us. … We have so much to work for, and that’s what’s exciting.”

SDSU punted away its first two possessions. That’s when the defense took matters into its hands.

Anderson sailed a second-and-5 pass near midfield and SDSU cornerback Bryce Phillips jumped high for the interception, returning the ball 28 yards to the Cowboys’ 24-yard line.

One play later, the Aztecs were in the end zone.

SDSU quarterback Jayden Denegal (11-for-22, 194 yards, TD/2 INTs), who started after being listed as questionable for the game, found running back Byron Cardwell Jr. with a short pass over the middle.

Cardwell cut against the grain and headed for the right corner of the end zone, diving over the goal line to arrive at his destination. That made it 7-7 with 3:32 remaining in the first quarter.

Just over one minute into the second quarter, SDSU took the ball away again. It was free safety Dwyane McDougle tipping an Anderson pass and then cradling the ball before it touched the ground.

This time, the Aztecs started at Wyoming’s 36-yard-line. They advanced the ball 20 yards before the drive stalled and kicker Gabe Plascencia came out for a 34-yard field goal that made it 10-7 with 10:52 remaining in the first half. It was Plascencia’s 26th straight field goal dating to last season (the streak ended in the third quarter when Plascencia missed a 23-yard attempt).

SDSU turned the ball over midway through the second quarter when wide receiver Jordan Napier couldn’t find the handle after an exchange with Denegal on a reverse and Wyoming’s Tegen Seeds came up with an interception.

Wyoming started with the ball at the Aztecs’ 48-yard line, but the SDSU defense stopped forward progress at the Aztecs’ 33, and Wyoming kicker Erik Sandvik was short on a 50-yard field goal attempt.

Napier made up for the turnover with 3:10 remaining in the first half when he scored on a 7-yard run for a 17-7 halftime lead.

Wyoming finally made its way into SDSU territory again early in the fourth quarter, reaching the SDSU 34 with 13:39 remaining. A pass interference call on SDSU safety Eric Butler that had some in the audience saying “huh?” moved the ball to the 19.

Then it moved back on a false start penalty, back some more on an offensive holding penalty and even more from a loss on a running play. Wyoming faced second-and-27 from the 36.

Anderson completed a short pass to wide receiver Michael Fitzgerald, who was separated from the ball on a big hit by SDSU defensive lineman Malachi Finau. The ball bounced around a bit, and who should come up with it? Butler, scooping up the ball at the SDSU 28. Drive thwarted.

Wyoming threatened again the next time it had the ball. But Phillips knocked away a first-down pass in the corner of the end zone. Running back Max White was tackled for a 1-yard gain on next down. And SDSU edge Ryan Henderson sacked Anderson for a 7-yard loss on third down.

Sandvik jogged out for another 50-yard field goal attempt. Short again. Drive thwarted. Wyoming didn’t threaten again.

“We really thrive off the defense’s energy,” SDSU running back Lucky Sutton said. “When they make a play, we’re like we have to make a play now. We’re really, really thankful for this defense. They do a great job, and we’re really appreciative of them.”

Sutton went over 100 yards for the fourth time this season on a 5-yard carry late in the game. One play later Sutton (28 carries, career-hih 158 yards, TD) burst through a hole for a 50-yard touchdown run that completed the scoring with 2:57 remaining. SDSU finished with 196 yards rushing on 40 carries. The Aztecs had 390 yards in total offense.