SAN DIEGO \u2013 San Diego State continued its preparation for the 2026 campaign after hosting a scrimmage to highlight First Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium festivities. Running approximately 90 plays in 15 possessions, the Aztec offense put up two touchdowns and four field-goals, all in the second half, while the defense came up with a pick-six in the second quarter and finished with nine sacks overall.<\/p>\n
On the first series of the night, Jayden Denegal<\/a> marched the first-string offense 36 yards into plus-territory in six plays. However, Cameron Cooper<\/a> forced a fumble on Nathan Acevedo<\/a>\u2019s 10-yard reception before Gavriel Lightfoot<\/a> pounced on the loose ball at the 39-yard line to extinguish the early threat.<\/p>\n Moments later, Kentucky transfer Stone Saunders<\/a> hit Parker Threatt<\/a> for 40 yards on the first play of the ensuing series, while Christian Washington<\/a> followed with 17 yards on five rushes shortly thereafter, helping the Scarlet and Black advance into the red zone. Facing a 4th-and-1 situation from the 16-yard line, however, Washington was thrown for a three-yard loss ending another scoring opportunity.<\/p>\n Denegal directed a lengthy 15-play, 44-yard drive on the Aztecs\u2019 next foray down the field. However, the offense came up empty once again, as Coooper DiLeva\u2019s 34-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.<\/p>\n Following a three-and-out with Saunders under center, Denegal returned to the field and promptly gave the Aztecs a spark, connecting with Bert Emanuel Jr.<\/a> on passes of 11 and 15 yards. However, the offense was unable to overcome an ineligible receiver downfield penalty and two sacks before turning the ball over on downs.<\/p>\n The SDSU defense put up a goose-egg once again in the second quarter, turning the tables on the second drive of the period with an interception return for a touchdown when Isaiah Green<\/a> stepped in front of Saunders\u2019 third-down pass and rambled 26 yards to the end zone.<\/p>\n The third quarter witnessed a trio of field goals from three different kickers, including a pair of 39-yarders by Lane Garner<\/a> and Noah Serna<\/a>, while Tyler Prasuhn<\/a> split the uprights from 40 yards out, salvaging a drive that saw reserve quarterback Brady Campbell<\/a> complete a 14-yard pass to Ayo Shotomide-King<\/a>.<\/p>\n Working a short field, the Aztecs finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter when Jordin Thomas<\/a> plowed in from three yards out.<\/p>\n Later in the period, DiLeva connected on a 35-yard field goal, while Josias Lucas closed out the scoring with a 25-yard touchdown scamper down the left sideline.<\/p>\n SDSU employed four quarterbacks during the scrimmage, led by Denegal, who completed 11 of 13 passes for 83 yards, while Saunders totaled 96 yards on 9-for-18 passing with one interception.<\/p>\n Acevedo paced the Aztec receiving corps with six catches for 21 yards, while Emanuel (49 yds) and Carson Diehl<\/a> (25 yds) finished with four receptions apiece.<\/p>\n Thanks to a stellar defensive effort, the SDSU running game was held largely in check, with Javion Kinnard<\/a> gaining a team-high 55 yards on 16 carries to lead all rushers.<\/p>\n Conversely, the Aztec defense registered nine sacks for 38 yards in losses, including two apiece by Malachi Finau<\/a> and Djibril Rahman<\/a>. Not to be outdone, Dean Harrington<\/a> (3 solo), Cameron Cooper<\/a> and Sione Hala<\/a> tied for team-high honors with five tackles each.<\/p>\n Entering its inaugural season as Pac-12 members, San Diego State opens its highly anticipated 2026 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 5, when it plays host to Portland State in a non-conference clash at Snapdragon Stadium. The Aztecs-Vikings game is slated to kick off at 6:30 p.m. PDT and will air live on USA Network.<\/p>\n First Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium Scrimmage Offense<\/p>\n RUSHING (attempts-yards-TD): Javion Kinnard<\/a> 16-55-0, Josiah Lucas<\/a> 7-23-1, Christian Washington<\/a> 6-13-0, Nathan Acevedo<\/a> 1-9-0, Jordin Thomas<\/a> 4-6-1, Brady Campbell<\/a> 1-3-0, Draiden Trudeau<\/a> 2-(-10)-0, Jayden Denegal<\/a> 5-(-12)-0, Stone Saunders<\/a> 3-(-13)-0, TEAM 1-(-17)-0. TOTALS: 46-57-2.<\/p>\n PASSING (completions-attempts-yards, TD, INT): Stone Saunders<\/a> 9-18-96, 0, 1; Jayden Denegal<\/a> 11-13-83, 0, 0; Brady Campbell<\/a>; 1-2-14, 0, 0; Draiden Trudeau<\/a> 1-1-4, 0, 0; Unknown 1-(-1)-0, 0. TOTALS: 23-35-196, 0, 1.<\/p>\n RECEIVING (receptions-yards-TD): Nathan Acevedo<\/a> 6-21-0, Bert Emanuel Jr.<\/a> 4-49-0, Carson Diehl<\/a> 4-25-0, Daishaun Davis<\/a> 2-16-0, Parker Threatt<\/a> 1-40-0, Ayo Shotomide-King<\/a> 1-14-0, Donovan Brown<\/a> 1-11-0, Jordin Thomas<\/a> 1-11-0, Derek Stevenson<\/a> 1-5-0, Jaylon Hawkins<\/a> 1-3-0, Javion Kinnard<\/a> 1-1-0. TOTALS: 23-196-0.\u00a0<\/p>\n Defense<\/p>\n TACKLES (unassisted-assisted-total): Dean Harrington<\/a> 3-2-5, Cameron Cooper<\/a> 1-4-5, Sione Hala<\/a> 0-5-5, Malachi Finau<\/a> 2-2-4, Max Garrison<\/a> 2-2-4, Tuaoa Tauili\u2019ili<\/a> 2-2-4, Nate Henrich<\/a> 1-3-4, Jeramiah Lewis<\/a> 1-3-4, Gavriel Lightfoot<\/a> 1-3-4, Jelani McLaughlin<\/a> 1-3-4, Braylon Cardwell<\/a> 3-0-3, Carsten Mamaril<\/a> 3-0-3, Djibril Rahman<\/a> 2-1-3, Josiah Cox<\/a> 1-2-3, Javari Nash<\/a> 1-2-3, Prince Williams<\/a> 1-2-3, Josh Hunter<\/a> 1-1-2, Cammeron Purnell<\/a> 1-1-2, Jalen Thomeson<\/a> 1-1-2, Kaimana Tufaga<\/a> 1-1-2, Kai Wallin<\/a> 1-1-2, Oberhiri Eyafe<\/a> 0-2-2, Roman Paseka<\/a> 0-2-2, Amari Comier<\/a> 1-0-1, Solomon Davis<\/a> 1-0-1, Rahmeer Henderson<\/a> 1-0-1, Alijah Lash<\/a> 1-0-1, Robby Lavata\u2019i<\/a> 1-0-1, Tainoa Lave<\/a> 1-0-1, Mike Lindsay<\/a> 1-0-1, Yanick Parker 1-0-1, Charlie Stewart<\/a> 1-0-1, Krishna Clay<\/a> 0-1-1, Kainoa Davis<\/a> 0-1-1, Isaiah Green<\/a> 0-1-1. TOTALS: 39-48-63<\/p>\n TACKLES FOR LOSS (no.): Malachi Finau<\/a> 2.0, Djibril Rahman<\/a> 2.0, Tuaoa Tauili\u2019ili<\/a> 1.5, Josh Hunter<\/a> 1.0, Robby Lavatai 1.0, Jeramiah Lewis<\/a> 1.0, Javari Nash<\/a> 1.0, Kainoa Davis<\/a> 0.5, Oberhiri Eyafe<\/a> 0.5, Nate Henrich<\/a> 0.5. TOTALS: 11<\/p>\n QUARTERBACK SACKS (no.-yards): Malachi Finau<\/a> 2.0-12, Djibril Rahman<\/a> 2.0-3, Tuaoa Tauili\u2019ili<\/a> 1.5-10, Javari Nash<\/a> 1-0-6, Jeramiah Lewis<\/a> 1.0-4, Robby Lavata\u2019i<\/a> 1.0-3, Kainoa Davis<\/a> 0.5-6. TOTALS: 9-38<\/p>\n
August 15, 2026
Snapdragon Stadium
Final Statistics (all unofficial)<\/p>\n