San Diego State coach Sean Lewis said Monday that the status of starting quarterback Jayden Denegal is “day-to-day” heading into Saturday’s Pac-12 game at Colorado State.
“We’ll get some more tests done today,” Lewis said during his midday press conference.
Denegal suffered a knee injury during the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Fresno State and was replaced by backup Stone Saunders in SDSU’s 26-23 win at Snapdragon Stadium. Denegal was limping significantly on the sideline during and after the game, so his participation this week is in question.
The fitness of Denegal will be more apparent at Tuesday morning’s practice and a more precise term — probable, questionable, doubtful or out — will be applied when the first Pac-12 availability report of the week is posted Wednesday night.
Denegal was praised by his coach for providing in-game input for Saunders, a Kentucky transfer who had been sidelined since the season opener with a broken collarbone.
“That (quarterbacks) room is really, really close-knit,” Lewis said. “It’s such a unique position within all sports, especially within the football team, where you have four guys in that room and only one guy’s going to play. …
“’Dene’ having the maturity and the humility to realize, hey, if it’s not going to be me, let me throw my weight behind this guy and back Stone and give him the support, the encouragement, the knowledge and the information that he has, so that (Saunders) can have a successful evening.”
Saunders was 6-for-11 for 61 yards in the game. He guided two fourth-quarter scoring drives after being thrust into action hours after being activated.
“He’s a pretty even-keel kid,” Lewis said. “His highs aren’t too high. His lows aren’t too low.”
Saunders, who set Pennsylvania state passing records in high school, didn’t play last season at Kentucky. His game experience amounted to 16 snaps against Portland State before being injured on SDSU’s final offensive play.
“Obviously, there was adversity the first week,” Lewis said. “He attacked the rehab and all things he needed to do with that to position himself as quickly as possible to be able to help the team yet again. And he was. And it was a great job being ready to go when his number was called.”
Injuries and illness (the mumps) have disrupted practice the first half of the season, so clarity at quarterback would be helpful as the week unfolds.
“There’s been enough (uncertainty) this year,” Lewis said. “Knock on wood we don’t have too much more of it, of I think this guy’s going to play, this guy’s not going to play.
“The sooner that we can solidify who the players are, it sure helps make the plays come to life for the players to be able to practice together and continue to grow and improve.”
Asked about Saunders’ skillset, Lewis said: “He’s got the arm to touch the whole field. He throws a real catchable ball. Some guys throw the ball in the right spots at the right time, but it’s heavier, it’s hard, and it’s not real catchable based off the location or the accuracy. He throws a catchable ball. As he continues to compound reps and feel game speed at this level, he’ll become more confident with his decision-making and be a productive player.”
Colorado State’s QB
Colorado State’s Hauss Hejny (47-for-73 passing, 619 yards, 10 TDs/INT) is expected to return Saturday after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Backup Ksaan Farrar (89-for-144, 931 yards, 5 TDs/2 INTs) has started since Hejny’s injury.
“Right now, as it stands, Hauss will start on Saturday,” Colorado State coach Jim Mora said at his Monday press conference. “Ksaan will be ready to go if needed. If Hauss isn’t feeling right physically when we get to the game, we’re not going to put him in jeopardy.”
Clock error
A timekeeping issue in the fourth quarter of the Fresno State-SDSU was reviewed by the Pac-12, and a conference spokesman confirmed a clock error was made.
The Bulldogs scored a 2-yard touchdown with 4:45 remaining in the game. Officials originally ruled the runner down short of the goal line, but the ruling was overturned on review. The clock ran down from 5:08 to 4:45 before it was stopped for the review; 23 seconds should have been put back on the clock after the play was ruled a touchdown.
The mistake did not have a direct impact on the game.
In a rush
SDSU running back Lucky Sutton moved into the top 20 on SDSU’s career rushing list after gaining 110 yards against Fresno State.
Sutton moved past Art Preston (1,664 yards, 1949-51) and Greg Bell (1,728 yards, 2020-21) during the game and now ranks 19th with 1,757 yards.
Next up: No. 18 Walter Kazee (1,852 yards, 2009-12).
Pac-12 honors
SDSU edge Kai Wallin and kicker Cooper DiLeva earned Pac-12 Player of the Week honors on defense and special teams, respectively, for their performances against Fresno State.
Wallin had his first three sacks of the season against the Bulldogs. It’s the most sacks in a game this season in the Pac-12 and the fifth-highest single-game total in the FBS.
DiLeva’s four field goals tied SDSU’s single-game school record, doubling his field goal total for the season. He capped the evening with a career-long 53-yarder, which is tied for the seventh longest in program history.
The other weekly honors went to Texas State running back Torrance Burgess Jr. (224 yards rushing, 4 TDs) for offense and Oregon State wide receiver Jesse Legree (8 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TDs) for freshman.