In a lopsided Mountain West Conference opener that quickly turned into a rout, the San Diego State Aztecs dismantled the Colorado State Rams on Friday night at Snapdragon Stadium, prevailing 45-24. What started as a potentially competitive matchup devolved into a showcase of SDSU's offensive firepower, leaving the Rams reeling in their first league game of the season.
The Aztecs, now 4-1 overall, jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, piling on points through a balanced attack that featured sharp passing and a grinding run game. Quarterback AJ Duffy threw for two touchdowns, while the defense forced turnovers that shifted momentum decisively. Colorado State, slipping to 1-4, struggled from the outset, their offense hampered by penalties and missed opportunities—indeed, they managed just a late garbage-time score to avoid a shutout.
Pre-game predictions had leaned slightly toward San Diego State, with oddsmakers listing them as narrow favorites by about three points, citing home-field advantage and a stout defense that had carried them through non-conference play. However, few foresaw such a blowout. The Rams, under coach Jay Norvell, entered hoping a new quarterback could spark improvement after a shaky start to the year, but execution faltered badly against an SDSU squad hungry to build on its recent wins.
Key takeaways from the game include SDSU's opportunistic playmaking, which exposed Colorado State's vulnerabilities along the lines, and a crowd at Snapdragon that fed off the energy of what might be the Aztecs' final season in the Mountain West before their upcoming conference shift. For CSU, the loss compounds frustrations from earlier defeats, raising questions about their ability to rebound in a tough schedule ahead.
Moreover, this result underscores the Aztecs' potential as contenders, though sustaining that intensity week in and week out will be crucial. As both teams turn the page to next opponents, one can't help but wonder how these early conference stumbles—or surges—might shape the rest of their campaigns.