SDSU Aztecs Get Bullied At Fresno State Bulldogs In 13-24 Loss

The SDSU Aztecs headed into Fresno State with a 2-2 record and looked forward to a 2-0 record in the Mountain West conference. However, the Fresno State Bulldogs had their gameplan and it was to rattle the cages of SDSU’s freshman starting quarterback Nick Bawden. The Bulldogs were able to accomplish that plan and the Aztecs would find themselves in the dog pound all night.

The Aztecs gameplan befuddled me last night. I believed for them to win the game the offense would go through running back Donnel Pumphrey. With the loss of starting quarterback Quinn Kaehler and starting wide receiver Ezell Ruffin, Pumphrey seemed like the best option for the offense. Yet the Aztecs came out passing on their first drive as if to throw Nick Bawden right to the dogs from the beginning.

Their plan backfired as Bawden finished 9 for 22 passing with 2 interceptions and a fumble. Bawden’s fumble came at around 7:45 left in the first quarter and from that point he looked to be conservative in the game. It wasn’t until a play on the Aztecs next to final drive where he took a big hit that seemed to wake him up. It was a 13 yard scramble and it looked like the Aztecs were about to drive and take the lead but the pass to wide receiver Larry Clark was tipped and intercepted by Fresno State.

With a freshmen quarterback under center, an 11 point loss seems to be an outcome to live with. Bawden should continue to improve as the season goes on and prove himself to be the Aztec quarterback of the next 4 years. SDSU’s next game will be at New Mexico on October 10 at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.