Portland State VikingsvsSan Diego State Aztecs
PRST 20/SDSU 53
Things to say
San Diego State beat Portland State 53-20 at Snapdragon Stadium.
01
opener
Aztecs rolled, 53-20. It was never really close. They controlled the line of scrimmage from the jump.
02
key player
Denegal was efficient, not flashy — 12 of 17 for 137 and two scores. He didn't need to do much with the run game humming.
03
hot take
Downing threw for 280 but two picks tells the story. A lot of that yardage was garbage time.
04
deep cut
Jaylon Hawkins took a kickoff back 100 yards. That was the dagger — flipped it from a game to a rout.
05
exit
Portland State's 0-2 and couldn't move the ball. We'll see if San Diego State keeps it up against real competition.
The recap
San Diego State ran Portland State off the field, 53-20, and it never felt close. Jayden Denegal was efficient through the air with two scores, but this was a smashmouth beatdown on the ground, with Lucky Sutton punching in a pair of short touchdowns and Jordin Thomas piling on late.
The dagger was Jaylon Hawkins taking a kickoff back 100 yards to make it 36-13, turning a lead into a laugher. Gabe Downing threw for 280 but coughed up two picks, and most of Portland State's points came well after the outcome was decided.