Three thoughts after San Diego State’s 41-16 loss to Toledo on Saturday afternoon at the Glass Bowl:

1. Offensive offense

SDSU opened the game with a 10-play, 68-yard drive that, though it stalled in the red zone, produced points.

Cooper DiLeva’s field goal marked the first time in four games this season that the Aztecs scored on their opening possession. A new wrinkle was throwing to the tight end. Jackson Ford was targeted on the first four plays. He made three catches. SDSU quarterback Jayden Denegal also hit wide receiver Donovan Brown for a 38-yard gain on the drive.

And there was a thought: maybe this day would be different for the offense. Four straight three-and-outs followed, and that thought was forgotten.

Denegal’s numbers were so-so. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown with one interception. The pick was costly; Toledo’s Isaac Zay jumped a short throw at the line of scrimmage and ran 67 yards the other way for a touchdown.

“There’s moments where (Denegal) is using proper footwork, making good decisions, (has) gotten the ball around the yard,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said after the game to San Diego Sports 760. “Other times, obviously, he needs to see the field a little bit better. We need to help him with the calls.”

It became more challenging for Denegal after SDSU lost its top two running backs to injury.

“When (Denegal) lost his tailbacks, things kind of swung,” Lewis said, “… then you’re throwing into big zone coverages, the windows are tighter, so our efficiency needs to be better. Again, things that we can work on as we go forward with the timing and location of our throw game.”

While the passing game has been a concern throughout the current three-game losing streak, the previously potent run game was ineffective from the outset. The Aztecs gained only 10 yards on 14 carries in the first half. They finished with 31 carries for 48 yards (1.5 ypc).

That leads into Item 2 …

2. Concerns in the run game

Running back was perhaps the deepest position on the team coming into the season.

It is thin now after injuries to starter Lucky Sutton (high ankle sprain) and backup Javion Kinnard (knee), not to mention Christian Washington leaving the team at the beginning of the week.

How long Sutton and Kinnard will be sidelined should be known soon. Both were expected to get additional examinations and imaging to determine the extent of their injuries.

Sutton, who missed the Week 3 game against James Madison, appeared to reinjure his left ankle two minutes into the third quarter while blocking on a play.

Kinnard was injured when he was stuffed for a 1-yard loss with six minutes remaining in the first quarter. He required some assistance to leave the field after an apparent left knee injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, Kinnard could be sidelined anywhere from a few weeks to the rest of the season.

Redshirt freshman Jordin Thomas came in after the others were injured, rushed once for 8 yards, fumbled and did not get another carry. True freshman Josiah Lucas rushed nine times for 18 yards.

“We will make plans accordingly based off guys’ availability,” Lewis said.

First question: Can Thomas hold onto the ball in practice this week and regain the coaches’ confidence?

Second question: Does Washington want to and/or would be allowed to return to the team to provide some depth at the position? He was the team’s second-leading rusher last year with 98 carries for 563 yards and four touchdowns.

One option: Senior safety Max Garrison, one of the team captains, worked out at running back in the spring. The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder put up more than 3,000 yards at La Cañada St. Francis High School.

3. Patience and prudence? In 2026?

SDSU’s three-game losing streak has, of course, sparked the vocal minority, the keyboard Aztec warriors who are only too happy to share their opinions.

New threads on an Aztecs chat board include: “Time to Pass the QB Reigns” (they probably meant “reins”), “It’s time to overreact. The football team is awful” and “Football HC candidates?”

Yes, the fans who populate the chat board are inquiring about the buyout amount of Lewis’ contract and offering suggestions for potential replacements.

Last year’s 9-4 record is way in the rearview mirror for the chatters after this year’s 1-3 start. Pac-12 Conference play opens this week against Texas State, but many already have determined the season is lost.

It’s probably prudent to give something time to play out before reaching a conclusion.

Look no further than the ups and downs of the Padres this season. A five-game losing streak and the manager, general manager and various vendors should be fired. Win 14 of 16 games down the stretch, and suddenly there’s talk of reaching the World Series. And so it goes.