SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KFSN) — Make it three-straight losses for the Bulldogs in the Old Oil Can Rivalry, after a late career-long field goal from San Diego State’s Cooper DiLeva left the Bulldogs stunned in San Diego, with a 26-23 loss on Saturday night.
The Aztecs took a 16-10 lead into the halftime break but besides a six-yard scamper from Bryson Donelson, the Fresno State offense looked stagnant in the first half.
The second half brought some more juice from both teams, even with San Diego State losing starting quarterback Jayden Denegal to injury in the second quarter. The Bulldogs took their first lead of the game on a seven-yard scamper from Julius Gillick, pulling ahead 17-16.
San Diego State responded in the fourth, using a six-play 92-yard drive to take the lead right back on a touch pass with Jordan Napier extending for the pylon to put the Aztecs back up six.
The Bulldogs came right back down the field with a nearly seven-minute drive leading to Gillick’s second rushing touchdown of the day. However, a missed PAT by Manaki Watanabe kept the game tied at 23.
Giving San Diego State a chance to go down the field and win it and the Aztecs delivered, getting Cooper DiLeva into field goal range and leave it to DiLeva to drill a career-long 53-yarder to take the lead right back.
The ‘Dogs tried to give Watanabe a chance at redemption but once again the offense fell flat, with Jayden Mandal’s fourth-down pass attempt sailing over Josiah Freeman’s head and clinching the Old Oil Can for the Aztecs for the third-straight time.
Fresno State falls to 4-3 on the season, 1-2 in Pac-12 play and has the bye week to regroup. However, a scary sight awaits on Halloween, as Oregon State enters Valley Children’s Stadium on Saturday, October 31.
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