SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego State opened its first season as a Pac-12 member with a statement, turning blocked punts, a defensive takeaway and a 100-yard kickoff return into a 53-20 rout of Portland State on Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium.
The Aztecs scored 29 consecutive points across the second and third quarters, turning a competitive start into a runaway victory and improving to 11-1 in their last 12 home openers. SDSU’s 53 points were its most since a 55-0 victory over Hawaii in 2016.
“We played a really complete football game,” San Diego State coach Sean Lewis said. “There were some things we have to clean up, but I really liked the way our guys responded and played with energy.”
Portland State took an early 6-0 lead on two field goals, but the Aztecs quickly seized control. Javion Kinnard broke through for a 55-yard run on SDSU’s third possession, setting up Jayden Denegal’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Acevedo.
The special teams unit then delivered another turning point early in the second quarter. Jelani McLaughlin blocked a Portland State punt, and Parker Threatt recovered at the Vikings’ 1-yard line. Lucky Sutton scored on the next play from a direct snap, giving SDSU a 14-6 advantage.
The Aztecs continued to turn mistakes into points. After a fourth-down stop near midfield, Denegal found Justius Lowe for a 40-yard touchdown, and Bert Emanuel added a two-point conversion to extend the lead to 22-6.
Mike Lindsay’s interception of Portland State quarterback Gabe Downing set up another scoring drive. Sutton capped the possession with a 13-yard touchdown run, his second of the night, as SDSU carried a 29-6 lead into halftime.
Portland State briefly showed signs of life after halftime when Downing connected with Terence Loville for a 10-yard touchdown following a muffed punt recovery at the SDSU 10.
Any comeback hopes disappeared on the ensuing kickoff.
Jaylon Hawkins raced 100 yards for a touchdown, breaking along the right sideline before cutting across the field and into the end zone. It was San Diego State’s first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2022.
“That’s something we’ve been emphasizing — making plays in all three phases,” SDSU linebacker Sione Hala said. “When you get opportunities like that, you have to take advantage of them.”
Oberhiri Eyafe later blocked another Portland State punt, setting up Sutton’s third touchdown, a 5-yard run that pushed the lead to 43-13.
Sutton finished with 58 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Kinnard led the Aztecs with 79 yards on eight carries. Denegal completed 12 of 17 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.
SDSU’s defense held Portland State to 95 rushing yards and forced multiple critical stops, while the Aztecs produced 237 yards on the ground.
The Vikings added a late touchdown, but Jordin Thomas answered with a 2-yard scoring run as SDSU closed out the 53-20 victory.
San Diego State improved to 1-0 and will travel to Pasadena next Saturday for a matchup with UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Portland State fell to 0-2.