Aztecs suffer 28-24 Road Loss to Nevada
Tom R Smedes / AP
The San Diego State Aztecs snapped their six-game winning streak after suffering a 28-24 loss at home to the Nevada Wolf Pack.
The Aztecs six-game winning streak consisted of walking a very tight line of close victories. They finally paid the price for it against the Nevada Wolf Pack, snapping their winning streak and losing 28-24 despite 456 yards of total offense and a three-touchdown performance from Ryan Agnew.
The first quarter started well for the Aztecs as a healthy diet of Chase Jasmin rushes and Agnew passes drove SDSU to Nevada’s 2-yard line. Agnew completed a pass to Jasmin to score the first touchdown for SDSU on their first possession.
After a quick shutdown of Nevada, San Diego State got back to work on offense and Agnew made quick work of Nevada’s secondary, converting a third down with a 29-yard pass to BJ Busbee and completing another pass to Elijah for 14 yards. He ended the series with a 16-yard pass to Kahale Warring for a touchdown.
Nevada would rally back in the oddest of ways. With the Aztecs on their 3-yard line, Daishawn Dixon got flagged for a holding penalty. This call resulted in a safety for Nevada, two points on the scoreboard, and the ball. Nevada took advantage of getting the ball back, scoring on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Toa Taua to Ty Gangi with nine seconds in the first quarter.
The second quarter began with both teams trading punts on stagnating possessions. Nevada drew first blood in the quarter on a 26-yard touchdown pass to momentarily take the lead, but San Diego State kicked the offense back into gear to get John Baron II into field goal range. Baron was automatic from 26 yards out and the Aztecs were able to retake a 17-15 lead.
Agnew would get his third and final touchdown with a 30-yard strike to Warring, but it was the last time the Aztecs would score in the game. Nevada was a different team come the second half, scoring on their first possession of the half on an 8-play, 75-yard performance capped off with a two-yard touchdown run.
After Nevada took a 25-24 lead on a field goal, it spelled the end for the Aztecs. The offense was unable to make critical adjustments to the Nevada defense and was slowed down by penalties committed at the worst of times. Back-to-back holding calls on Ryan Pope killed what was a promising drive and forced the Aztecs to punt. Agnew also threw four straight incompletions to end a drive that started on the Nevada 41-yard line.
One last gasp effort began with the Aztecs driving from their one-yard line. After benefiting from a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty, it seemed like the Red and Black were going to pull another rabbit out of their hats. But, with the ball on the Nevada 35-yard line, a false start penalty pushed the Aztecs back five yards and an Agnew pass fell incomplete, and just like that, the Aztecs absorbed their second loss on the season.
The Aztecs can still achieve double-digit wins, but they will have to win the rest of their four games to accomplish the feat. They are on the road next week and face off against the New Mexico Lobos.
I am currently attending San Diego State University while working on achieving a major in journalism. At SDSU, I write for The Daily Aztec while also hosting the sports radio show “Picked Off”, for KCR Radio. A loyal fan of San Diego sports, I hope to bring content that you will enjoy reading.
Not a good loss (in Reno, I believe), but beat Fresno St., and we will get a shot Utah St. Agnes wasted A LOT of time running all over the place. When Chapman is ready, the job has to be his.