San Diego State University’s football team continued its winning ways on Saturday, Nov. 1, defeating Wyoming 24-7 in front of a homecoming crowd at Snapdragon Stadium. The Aztecs, now 7-1 overall and 4-0 in Mountain West play, extended their winning streak to six games, solidifying their position as the conference’s top team.
The game was a testament to SDSU’s dominance on both sides of the ball. Running back Lucky Sutton led the charge with 158 rushing yards, including a 50-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory. Quarterback Jayden Denegal threw for 194 yards and a touchdown, while the Aztecs’ defense stifled Wyoming’s offense, forcing three interceptions and holding the Cowboys to just 89 rushing yards.
Wyoming struck first in the opening quarter with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Landon Sims to Sam Scott. SDSU quickly responded, as Jordan Napier powered into the end zone on a 7-yard run to tie the game. A field goal and a Denegal touchdown pass gave the Aztecs a 17-7 lead at halftime. From there, the defense took over, shutting out the Cowboys in the second half and allowing the offense to control the tempo.
The game also served as a homecoming for several players from Southwest Riverside County, including Temecula’s Josh Hunter and Kainoa Davis, San Jacinto’s Jelani McLaughlin, and Murrieta’s Jacob Alvarez. While their on-field roles were limited, their presence on the roster highlights the region’s contribution to SDSU’s program and gives local fans a reason to cheer.
Despite the team’s success, the atmosphere at Snapdragon Stadium was a point of contention. Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel criticized the sparse crowd of 17,109 in a stadium that seats 32,500. “It’s a beautiful stadium, and they have a really good team,” Sawvel said. “But it felt like they had a promotion for fans to come dressed as empty seats.”
SDSU head coach Sean Lewis, however, remained focused on the positives. “We had over 115 high school prospects on the sidelines,” Lewis said. “When those kids look up in the stands, they want to see a packed house. It’s important for the community to rally behind this team, especially with so many local players representing their hometowns.”
The Aztecs’ defense continues to draw comparisons to some of the best in program history. Through eight games, they are allowing just 10 points per game and 246.3 yards per game, both marks that rank among the best in school history. Their dominance has propelled them to 29th in the national rankings, with votes in both the AP and coaches’ polls.
Looking ahead, SDSU will host Boise State on Nov. 15 in a game that could have major implications for the Mountain West title race. With more than 6,000 tickets still available, the Aztecs are calling on fans to fill the stands and create a true home-field advantage.
For fans in Southwest Riverside County, the presence of local players like Josh Hunter, McLaughlin, Alvarez, and Davis adds a personal connection to the team’s success.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be part of this program and to represent my hometown on a stage like this,” said Josh Hunter, after the game. “Even though my role is to support the team however I can, knowing that friends and family from back home are watching makes it all the more special.”
As SDSU continues its march toward a potential conference championship, the support of the community will be crucial.
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