SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego State needed a spark coming out of halftime Saturday night. Jaylon Hawkins provided it before the second half was even 15 seconds old.
Hawkins returned the opening kickoff of the third quarter 96 yards for a touchdown, igniting a 21-point quarter as San Diego State rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Texas State 31-29 at Snapdragon Stadium in the Pac-12 opener for both programs.
The Aztecs improved to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play while snapping a three-game losing streak.
“Being 1-0 in conference play, and to get up off the mat after what we’ve done the past few weeks is huge,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said. “It puts wind in our sails. It puts momentum back into the building.”
Texas State controlled much of the opening half, building a 17-3 lead and outgaining SDSU 310-139.
That changed quickly after halftime.
Following Hawkins’ kickoff return, Kai Wallin intercepted Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson and returned it to the Bobcats’ 10. Freshman Josiah Lucas scored from 2 yards out three plays later to tie the game at 17.
SDSU’s defense forced a three-and-out on Texas State’s next possession, and a mishandled punt snap gave the Aztecs possession at the 7. Lucas scored on the next play, completing a 21-point third-quarter turnaround.
Lucas, making his first collegiate start, rushed for a career-high 111 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.
“I wouldn’t have done it without my O-line,” Lucas said. “Great blocking, great calls, great blocking on the perimeter. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates.”
Texas State refused to go away and pulled within 24-22 following a fourth-quarter field goal and safety.
The Aztecs’ defense answered again.
Cameron Cooper intercepted Jackson and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown with 2:47 remaining, giving SDSU a 31-22 advantage. Texas State responded with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Beau Sparks, but the Aztecs survived the Bobcats’ final possession when Alijah Lash recorded a key sack and the last-second pass fell incomplete.
Texas State finished with 565 yards to SDSU’s 239, but the Aztecs won the areas that mattered most — forcing two turnovers, producing touchdowns on special teams and defense and making timely stops.
For a team searching for momentum, San Diego State found plenty of it in its first night of Pac-12 football.