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Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
November 26, 2023 (San Diego) - In the Battle for the Old Oil Can, San Diego State snapped a four-game losing streak with a 33-18 triumph over Fresno State Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium.
The Aztecs (4-8, 2-6 MW) scored 16 straight points in the first half to seize the momentum and give Brady Hoke a victory in his final game as head coach.
SDSU dominated the time of possession (40:51 to 19:09) and maintained a sizable edge in rushing yards (226-151) to hand the Bulldogs (8-4, 4-4 MW) their third consecutive defeat.
With their rushing total, the Aztecs move to 56-2 in their last 58 games when gaining 200 yards or more on the ground.
Not to be outdone, Jack Browning tied a school record with four field goals, while Jalen Mayden put the Scarlet and Black in front for good with a 70-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Mayden completed 17 of 26 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown to go with 96 yards rushing on 14 attempts.
Mayden came through in the clutch, completing 5 of 7 third-down passes for 85 yards, sustaining several drives in the process.
SDSU were successful on 8 of 19 third-down situations for the evening and converted all four fourth-down opportunities to help secure the win.
The game started ominously for the Aztecs, who were plagued by a false start penalty and an eight-yard sack on their opening possession.
Conversely, Fresno State caught proverbial lightning in a bottle on their first drive when Malik Sherrod burst through a seam up the middle and cut left down the sideline for a 62-yard touchdown run that gave the visitors a quick 7-0 advantage.
SDSU responded with a pair of Browning field goals from 32 and 39 yards, respectively.
Browning's second kick was set up by Marcus Ratcliffe's 29-yard interception return to the Bulldog 34, thwarting Fresno State's 4th-and-2 pass at the Aztec 40.
After an exchange of punts on the ensuing three possessions, SDSU faced a 3rd-and-2 from its own 30 when Mayden called his own number and sprinted 70 yards untouched down the left sideline to give the Aztecs a 13-7 advantage they would not relinquish.
SDSU forced a three-and-out and following a short punt, Browning split the uprights from 41 yards away to increase the lead to 16-7 at the 2:58 mark of the second quarter.
The Bulldogs responded with a 43-yard field goal by Dylan Lynch as time expired, trimming the margin to 16-10 at intermission.
The Aztecs benefited from a shanked punt following Fresno State's first possession of the third quarter, setting up shop at their own 49.
Nine plays later, Jaylon Armstead bulldozed his way into the end zone from a yard out, providing the Scarlet and Black a 23-10 cushion with 8:55 remaining in the period. With that plunge, SDSU scored a touchdown on its second-half opening drive for the first time since Nov. 18, 2022 (at New Mexico).
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Browning booted a 33-yard field goal to cap a 14-play, 59-yard march that consumed 7:23 of the clock. Previously, Mayden kept the drive alive with a 28-yard pass to Baylin Brooks down the left sideline to the Bulldog 34 on a 3rd-and-8 situation.
After gaining just 28 yards and netting one first down in the third quarter, Fresno State finally moved the ball the on their first possession of the final period, driving 75 yards in 10 plays, punctuated by Sherrod's 1-yard touchdown burst. Following a successful two-point conversion, the Bulldogs narrowed the gap to 26-18.
However, SDSU put the game out of reach with another time-consuming drive, culminating in Mayden's 5-yard toss to Leo Kemp with 2:54 left in the game. The Aztecs ate up 7:06 on the clock with their 14-play, 78-yard advance, converting one third down and another fourth-down opportunity.
Earlier, Mayden connected with Harpole for a 5-yard completion on 3rd-and-2 from the SDSU 44, before Armstead plowed his way for an essentially game-clinching first down, gaining a critical yard on a 4th-and-1 from the Fresno State 30.
The Aztecs ran out the clock after the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs, sprinting across the field to claim possession of the Old Oil Can to end a two-year victory drought in the series.
In addition to Mayden's production, Armstead finished with 41 yards rushing on 15 attempts, while Cam Davis gained 40 yard on eight carries.
Elsewhere, Mark Redman led the Scarlet and Black with four receptions for 40 yards, while Harpole totaled three catches for 46 yards.
Along with his first career interception, Rattcliffe paced SDSU defensive efforts with six tackles, while Noah Tumblin collected five solo stops and two pass breakups.
Prior to Saturday's contest, the Aztecs held a special ceremony honoring their 17 seniors, including S Cedarious Barfield, K/P Jack Browning, S Davaughn Celestine, RB/KR Kenan Christon, LT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, DL Wyatt Draeger, WR Darius Hyde, DE Garret Fountain, LB Vai Kaho, QB Jalen Mayden, S Deshawn McCuin, LB Cooper McDonald, DE Daniel Okpoko, TE Dez Melton, WR Brionne Penny, TE Mark Redman, DL Samuela Tuihalamaka and CB Noah Tumblin.
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