Aztecs Dominate Nevada in Mountain West Victory
RENO, Nev. – Fifteen minutes, three seconds.
That was the answer to the question of how long it would take San Diego State to prove it could play as well on the road as it has at home this season.
The remaining minutes and seconds in SDSU’s 44-10 Mountain West victory over Nevada on Saturday simply offered additional evidence in an open and shut case that boosted the Aztecs to 5-1 (2-0 in the MW) as they reached the season’s midpoint. SDSU is one win away from being bowl-eligible for the first time in three years, with six games remaining after a well-deserved week off.
“We talked quite a bit, obviously, that we laid an egg the first time we went out and the defense carried us the second time we went out,” said SDSU coach Sean Lewis, referencing a 36-13 loss at Washington State and a 6-3 win at Northern Illinois. “to take kind of that next step as we talk about this climb and journey that we’re on, to be improving and continue to elevate was having all three phases put together a four-quarter game.
“The way that we started and the way all three units played collectively well together was great to see.”
The aztecs dominated the Wolf Pack (1-5,0-2) in all three phases,four if you count winning the opening coin flip,on the way to a 35-0 halftime lead.
SDSU chose to put its defense on the field to begin the game, then forced a three-and-out on Nevada’s opening possession.That’s when it got interesting.
nevada punter Bailey Ettridge booted a ball that came down in the hands of Jordan Napier at SDSU’s 25-yard line. Napier has teased breaking a big return this season. This time he did it, avoiding would-be tacklers along the left sideline before picking up an Aztecs welcoming party for the final few strides. The 75-yard special teams touchdown provided a 7-0 lead 59 seconds into the game.
Asked what he saw on the play as it developed, Napier said, “As I punctured (the line of defense), it was just green grass, then one man came down, I made one cut and it was just over from there.”
SDSU added a defensive score with 7:11 remaining in the opening period, making it 14-0 when cornerback Chris Johnson returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown.
“I saw the ball come off the quarterback’s hand and I made a play on the ball,” said Johnson, who had a 97-yard TD return three weeks ago against Cal. “Mister (Williams) had a lead block right in front of me and then I was just gone.”
After that,Johnson said,”Everyone was going up and down the sidelines,like,step on thier throats,foot on the gas pedal.”
“Obviously,anytime that you can put points on the board in those non-traditional ways it’s really,really beneficial,” Lewis said. “The fast start was really advantageous, I was pleased with the way we were able to be balanced on offence yet again, distributing the football to a lot of different guys.
“I was pleased with the defensive effort,the