San Diego State University: Aztecs Set for Idaho State on Saturday Night
San Diego State looks to bounce back from a season-opening loss when it welcomes Idaho State to Bashor Field at Snapdragon Stadium at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The Aztecs and ISU are both 0-1.
The Aztecs were unable to take advantage of their opportunities in a 38-20 loss to Arizona in Saturday’s Snapdragon Stadium debut.
SDSU outrushed the Wildcats, 170-162, but were outgained overall by a healthy 229 yards (461-232). The Aztecs uncharacteristically committed two turnovers, including an interception in the second quarter that bounced off the hands of a wide receiver. The interception came one play after what appeared to be a 25-yard rushing touchdown by Jordan Byrd that would have tied the game at 17-17. A holding penalty, however, was called on the Aztecs and, following the interception, Arizona scored the close the first half with a 24-10 advantage. The Wildcats then scored on their opening possession of the second half to take a 31-10 lead.
Defensively, SDSU forced two turnovers – forced/recovered fumble by Cedarious Barfield and an interception by Noah Tumblin – in back-to-back UA drives in the second quarter but couldn’t stop the Jayden de Laura to Jacob Cowing connection. De Laura, the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman Player of the Year in 2021 while at Washington State, threw for 299 yards and four touchdowns, including three to Cowing, a UTEP transfer. Cowing finished with eight catches for 152 yards and the three scores.
SDSU has played its last 17 games without having a two-game losing streak. The Aztecs’ last two-game losing streak came in the 2020 season when they lost at Nevada, 26-21, on Nov. 21 and to Colorado, 20-10, on Nov. 28 on a five days notice.
This week’s game against Idaho State will be the first night game played at Snapdragon Stadium. The Aztecs are meeting ISU for the first time since the 2004 opener at Qualcomm Stadium, where SDSU scored the first 38 points en route to a 38-21 win over the Bengals.
Single-game tickets for 2022 San Diego State football home games for the inaugural season at Snapdragon Stadium are still on sale. Many options are available and a virtual 3D seat map of Snapdragon Stadium allows fans to take a tour of the seats before reserving season tickets. Members will have several benefits such as priority access to on-site parking and the flexibility to resell or donate any games they’re unable to attend.
Student tickets will once again be free and can be claimed on a first-come, first-serve basis the week of each home game. More information for student tickets can be found at GoAztecs.com/StudentTickets.
The other Aztec home games following Idaho State (Sept. 10) are Toledo (Sept. 24), Hawai’i (Oct. 8), UNLV (Nov. 5 for Homecoming Game), San José State (Nov. 12) and Air Force (Nov. 26).