Hawaii Halts Aztecs’ 6-Game Streak with Dominant Victory

The San Diego State Aztecs faced a formidable challenge in Hawaii, resulting in the end of their six-game winning streak. In a Mountain West Conference showdown on Saturday night, the Aztecs lost to Hawaii with a score of 38-6. The match took place at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex before a full-capacity audience of 15,194 fans.

Game Overview

The Aztecs, who now hold a record of 7-2 (4-1 Mountain West), struggled with penalties and defensive errors. This loss marked their first defeat in conference play, dropping them into a tie for first place with Boise State, which is 6-3 (4-1).

Hawaii’s Dominant Performance

Hawaii improved its record to 7-3 (4-2) with this critical win. It also put them in contention for a spot in the Mountain West Championship Game, along with several other teams. The Rainbow Warriors now have the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over the Aztecs.

Decisive Moments in the Game

• Early Advantage: SDSU linebacker Owen Chambliss kicked off the game with a sack on Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado.
• First Points: SDSU led 3-0 with a 42-yard field goal after an interception by cornerback Deshawn McCuin.
• Turning Point: A taunting penalty on cornerback Bryce Phillips allowed Hawaii to score their first touchdown quickly after the initial three-and-out.

Player Highlights

Hawaii’s Alejado completed 22 of 34 passes for 256 yards, throwing three touchdowns and one interception. Jackson Harris emerged as a standout receiver, finishing with seven catches for 130 yards and three touchdowns. Notably, he reached over 100 receiving yards by halftime.

Stats Summary

Impact of the Loss

SDSU’s head coach Sean Lewis acknowledged the defeat’s significance, emphasizing the need for improvement in all phases of the game. The Aztecs will look to rebound next week as they prepare to face Boise State at Snapdragon Stadium.