Coming off a 66-14 loss in Corvallis, San Diego State (2-4) returns to Snapdragon Stadium to face longtime rival Fresno State (4-2) for Homecoming.
The matchup gives the Aztecs an immediate opportunity to respond after a performance head coach Sean Lewis called an “embarrassing effort.”
Following the loss, Lewis apologized to SDSU fans and supporters and expressed disappointment with how the team represented the university. He also took responsibility for the performance, saying it was “100% on me.”
Since returning from Corvallis, Lewis said the players have not shied away from the result. He said the team was bothered by its performance and emphasized learning from it rather than dwelling on it.
“I think the two main things were ownership and accountability,” senior linebacker Sione Hala said. “What we put out there is not what we wanted and we got to do better.”
Lewis said the challenge now is turning that accountability into a response on the field. The team has revisited areas in practice that contributed to the loss, emphasizing that “practice repetition is game reality.” Coach Lewis did not specify what areas in particular they are looking to correct.
“[We need to] handle hard better… and that would make us proud,” Lewis said.
SDSU senior defensive lineman Krishna Clay rushes the quarterback against Texas State on Oct. 3, 2026. (Rexone Conanan)
That response will be tested against a Fresno State team Lewis described as physical in all three phases.
The Bulldogs enter Saturday after a 38-31 conference loss to the Boise State Broncos, where Fresno State recorded 346 total yards of offense but allowed the Broncos to rush for 512 yards.
Junior quarterback Jayden Mandal completed 19 of 33 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Josiah Freeman, who has recorded 39 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season, finished with three receptions for 53 yards against the Broncos.
Fresno State’s use of shifts and motions particularly stood out to Lewis, who said the Bulldogs use them to create leverage and generate big plays. That could test an SDSU defense that struggled with communication and assignments against Oregon State.
On the other side of the ball, Fresno State made 87 tackles, including two tackles for loss, against the Broncos. Lewis praised the Bulldogs’ communication and flexibility, describing the unit as “really tied together.”
The challenge Fresno State presents on the field is only part of what makes Saturday’s matchup significant for the Aztecs.
SDSU and Fresno State have met 63 times, with SDSU leading the all-time series (32-27-4). In their most recent meeting, the Aztecs shut out Fresno State 23-0 and have held the Old Oil Can trophy since 2023.
Lewis and his players don’t forget that history. Lewis said rivalry games are judged differently and that records carry less weight when the Aztecs and Bulldogs meet.
“Records don’t matter,” Lewis said. “There’s gotta be a passion to play. There’s got to be a willingness to play. There’s got to be a burning desire to keep the Old Oil Can here.”
The rivalry will also play out in front of a Homecoming crowd at Snapdragon Stadium, giving SDSU its first opportunity to respond to last week’s performance in front of its own fans.
“Playing the team we’re playing this week is everything to everybody,” Hawkins said. “The rivalry has been going on for so long and the week is here.”
San Diego State and Fresno State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium. The game will be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network.