Fast never got moving Saturday as Oregon State shut out San Diego State 21-0 at Snapdragon Stadium.
Whether it was the heat or Oregon State’s skill, head coach Sean Lewis’ focus on AztecFAST, a new standard for his program, stalled badly as SDSU fell to 1-1.
Already behind by two touchdowns, the Aztecs took a risk and went for it on 4th and 18 with 7:39 left in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Danny O’Neil sent his pass to Ja’Shaun Poke, but Beaver Skyler Thomas, with a hard tackle, broke it up.
Taking over at SDSU’s 42-yard line, Oregon State (2-0) didn’t waste the opportunity and put the game away four plays later with a 21-yard pass from Gabarri Johnson to Bryce Caufield in the end zone.
The Aztecs came closest to a score in the third quarter, after moving the ball to the Oregon State 2-yard line, but O’Neil couldn’t hold on, and Beaver Nikko Taylor recovered to kill the drive.
O’Neil, apparently hobbled – he wore a knee brace in the second half – completed 11 passes for 107 yards and the team generated just 179 yards of total offense compared to Oregon State’s 420.
The disparity in time of possession was also jarring, as the Beavers had the ball for more than 41 minutes, compared to the Aztecs, at just shy of 19 minutes.
Lewis, speaking to San Diego Sports 760, credited his defense for their “relentless effort” while also noting that SDSU’s eight penalties “really hurt us.”
San Diego State heads up north to face Cal (2-) at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14.
