Athletes are supposed to turn the page after a poor performance. They are advised to flush it, clear their minds and focus on the next opportunity.
That was easier said than done for San Diego State quarterback Jayden Denegal, who came into Saturday night’s game against Fresno State after the poorest performance of his career.
The senior from Apple Valley persevered, and he helped the Aztecs produce a 13-3 first-half lead against the favored Bulldogs. Denegal was 7-for-9 passing for 112 yards in the early going, highlighted by a 52-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaylon Hawkins midway through the first quarter. SDSU led the game 10-0 at press time.
SDSU coach Sean Lewis said after last week’s 66-14 loss at Oregon State that everything was on the table while evaluating the team this week. That included whether Denegal would remain as the Aztecs’ starting quarterback. He did.
That may have been in part because there are only two freshman walk-ons — Draiden Trudeau and Brady Campbell — and injured freshman transfer backup Stone Saunders behind Denegal on the roster.
Saunders is healed from a broken collarbone, but SDSU officials did not announce before the game if he had been medically cleared to play. Saunders was listed as “game-time decision” on the Pac-12 availability report two hours before kickoff. Saunders participated in pregame warmups and stood with the other QBs on the sideline during the game.
SDSU relied mostly on its run game — starting running back Lucky Sutton returned after two weeks out with a high ankle sprain — during its first two drives. The second one produced a 32-yard field goal by Cooper DiLeva after SDSU nose tackle Malachi Finau recovered a fumble and presented the offense with the ball at the Fresno 32.
Denegal was much more accurate with passes long and short than he was last week, when he was 5-for-19 passing against the Beavers. The incompletions included six off-target throws and three drops.
The most frustrating moment came 1 1/2 minutes into the second half. It was third-and-10 and Denegal had wide receiver Jacob Bostick open on the right side, five yards past the line of scrimmage. Denegal’s throw was behind Bostick, hitting the receiver in the lower right leg.
Denegal clapped his hands together in frustration and left the field with his head down.
SDSU backup quarterback Draiden Trudeau replaced Denegal when SDSU’s offense came out for its next series.
Denegal came out with his head up against Fresno State. And he got a hand from his head coach after SDSU’s first-quarter touchdown, slapping a low-five with Lewis as he came off the field.
Former San Diego State quarterback Don Horn is escorted onto the field before the Aztecs’ game against Fresno State at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Honoring the past
SDSU recognized two outstanding Aztecs teams during the game on their 40th and 60th anniversaries, respectively.
The 1986 team won the school’s only WAC championship, finishing 7-1 in conference play. A 10-3 victory over BYU clinched the title, which delivered the Aztecs’ only Holiday Bowl berth. SDSU lost 39-38 to the Hawkeyes in the bowl game to finish 8-4 on the season.
The 1966 team, the first in school history to finish 11-0, was also recognized. Among the season’s highlights was a stirring comeback victory the second week of the season. The Aztecs won 38-34 at Weber State after trailing 20-0 at halftime.
The 1966 team won the first of three straight small college national championships by SDSU.
Former SDSU quarterback Don Horn served as the game’s Honor Warrior, leading the Aztecs onto the field before the game. Horn proved he still has a strong arm as he thrust a ceremonial spear into the turf near midfield. The spear snapped into two pieces.
Taking the stage
SDSU had a notable featured guest for pregame entertainment at the River Park Block Party south of the stadium.
Grammy winner Big Boi, one half of the popular hip-hop duo Outkast with rapper Andre 3000, took the stage moments after SDSU players and coaches completed the Warrior Walk into the stadium. Big Boi performed during the 2019 Super Bowl LIII halftime show and last year was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Outkast.
His appearance seemed like a good get for the Aztecs. Fans with a game ticket could watch him perform for free. There were a few hundred people in the audience when Big Boi took the stage.
A larger gathering could have been expected if SDSU promoted the appearance more than one day beforehand. It was announced on social media midday Friday.
Up next
SDSU visits Colorado State on Saturday afternoon at Canvas Stadium. The Rams were steamrolled by Texas State on Thursday night, losing 66-27. While Texas State (3-3, 1-1 Pac-12) has a solid passing attack, the Bobcats gouged Colorado State (2-4, 0-2) for a school-record 503 rushing yards and 716 total yards.
Colorado State quarterback K’saan Farrar was 26-for-41 passing for 282 yards and two touchdowns.