San Diego State bounced back Saturday from its first loss of the season defeating Hawai’i 17-10 in Honolulu.
The Aztecs also received good news regarding their chances in the Mountain West, as No. 25 Fresno State, just a week after defeating SDSU, got clobbered by Boise State 40-14.
That sets up next week’s match-up against Nevada (7-2, 4-1 MW) as key in the conference division race. San Diego State, while 8-1 overall, shares an identical 4-1 MW record with Nevada, while Fresno State, fell to 4-2 in the MW.
SDSU scored first Saturday, on a Greg Bell 5-yard rush in the 1st quarter. Hawai’i answered after a drive marred by Aztec mistakes, including two penalties and, following a sack, a fumble by quarterback Lucas Johnson.
One play later, the Rainbow Warriors tied it up on a 19-yard pass from quarterback Chevan Cordeiro to Calvin Turner.
San Diego State took back the lead in the 2nd quarter on a trick play, as holder Jack Browning, a product of West Hills High in Lakeside, set up for a field goal, grabbed the ball and rushed 13 yards to the outside, to make it 14-7.
After a scoreless 3rd quarter, Matt Araiza hit a 39-yard field goal to add to SDSU’s lead. In the end, Hawai’i had a chance, driving to SDSU’s 18-yard line. They couldn’t line up in time to get off another play though, and the clock ran down.
Johnson finished with 128 yards, including 99 yards on 12-for-16 passing. Bell rushed for 77 yards.
“I thought we were physical and we played with an edge more so than we did last week,” Hoke said.
The Aztecs return Nov. 13 for the homecoming game against Nevada, in Carson, their temporary home during Mission Valley stadium construction.
