San Diego State entered Saturday’s Mountain West matchup as a 17.5 point favorite over Nevada and the over/under was 39 total points. The Aztecs (7-2, 4-2 MW) did not cover the spread or win, as they fell 17-13.
For a very slow-paced, low scoring, and defensive game — the ending did not disappoint. The fourth quarter began with a 10-10 tie.
With 12:53 left in the game, SDSU went for and converted a fourth and one from their own 17-yard line, however, a holding penalty called it back and forced them to punt.
Nevada’s first play after the punt was an end around reverse pass that gained 50 yards and set up the Wolfpack inside the SDSU 10. On second and goal, the Aztecs were called for defensive pass interference and it set up a Wolfpack touchdown run, which pushed their lead to seven.
Down 17-10 with 3:47 left in the fourth quarter, SDSU decided to kick a field goal on a fourth and seven, which made it a 17-13 game. “It’s not an easy call, but it’s not a bad call. “Head coach Rocky Long said.”I would do it again.” It arguably bailed Nevada out.
SDSU had nine penalties for 79 yards obviously did not help their case. “Way too many penalties, that’s an undisciplined football team and that’s my fault.” Long said.
A third-quarter passing touchdown by the Wolfpack expanded Nevada’s lead to 10-3, but the Aztecs and Chance Bell responded with a 14 play 71-yard drive. Bell ran in a three-yard touchdown run, which knotted the game at 10 with 1:24 left in the third quarter.
The first two quarters saw seven punts, six points, two red zone interceptions, and one Aztec ejected. Junior safety Trenton Thompson was disqualified for targeting early in the game.
The Aztecs had an incredible scoring opportunity just before the first half concluded. However, senior quarterback Ryan Agnew threw a red zone interception with 1:06 remaining in the half. Before the interception, SDSU had just converted a fourth and one which set them up inside Nevada’s 15-yard line.
The first half was a defensive slug fest, ending in a 3-3 tie. Both teams had trouble finding yards and points throughout the half. In fact, the Wolfpack were held to negative-three rushing yards and did not convert a single third down in the entire first half.
The Aztecs moved up to No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25, which was released Nov. 3. It’s hard to see them still ranked after this week, but the Aztecs have another game at home next Friday against Fresno State,
“They’re probably pretty miserable and we’re miserable,” Long said. “Next week one of us will feel much better and the other will feel just as bad or worse.”