SAN DIEGO — The San Diego State Aztecs began their 2025 football campaign in emphatic fashion, delivering a decisive 42-0 victory over the Stony Brook Seawolves at Snapdragon Stadium on Thursday night. The season opener not only marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs but also showcased SDSU’s depth, talent, and offseason improvements.
The Aztecs set the tone early, with running back Lucky Sutton leading the charge. Sutton, a San Diego native, rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns. His first came midway through the opening quarter, capping a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Quarterback Jayden Denegal followed with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Bostick, giving SDSU a commanding 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter
SDSU’s defense, anchored by local talents Josh Hunter from Temecula and Jelani McLaughlin from San Jacinto, was impenetrable. The Aztecs held Stony Brook to just 95 total yards while amassing 453 yards of their own. Hunter and McLaughlin, both safeties, played pivotal roles in maintaining the shutout, much to the delight of the 20,624 fans in attendance.
The Aztecs extended their lead in the second quarter with two field goals from Gabriel Plascencia, including a 42-yarder. By halftime, SDSU had built a 20-0 advantage, leaving little doubt about the game’s outcome.
The second half saw more dominance from the Aztecs. Sutton added his second touchdown late in the third quarter, and Christian Washington punched in another from the 1-yard line early in the fourth. Parker Threatt capped the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run in the game’s final minutes.
Stony Brook struggled to find any offensive rhythm. Quarterbacks Chris Zellous and Casey Case combined for just 46 passing yards, while running back Roland Dempster managed 49 yards on the ground. Despite their efforts, the Seawolves were unable to overcome SDSU’s relentless defense.
The game also highlighted SDSU’s offseason roster improvements. Transfers like Denegal and returning stars such as Sutton and Bostick demonstrated the team’s depth and potential. Head coach Sean Lewis, now in his second year, praised the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of building on this momentum.
For local fans, the contributions of Hunter and McLaughlin were a point of pride. Hunter, a Mater Dei High alumnus, and McLaughlin, from Citrus Valley High, both played key roles in the Aztecs’ defensive success. Their efforts underscored the talent emerging from Southwest Riverside County.
The Aztecs now turn their attention to a challenging schedule, which includes matchups against Washington State, California, and Mountain West rivals. With a strong start to the season, SDSU looks poised to make a significant impact in 2025.
SDSU 2025 Football Schedule:
Aug 28: vs. Stony Brook – W 42-0
Sep 6: at Washington State
Sep 20: vs. California
Sep 27: at Northern Illinois
Oct 3: vs. Colorado State
Oct 11: at Nevada
Oct 25: at Fresno State
Nov 1: vs. Wyoming
Nov 8: at Hawai’i
Nov 15: vs. Boise State
Nov 22: vs. San Jose State
Nov 28: at New Mexico
Dec 5: Mountain West Championship (if qualified)
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