SAN DIEGO (Daily Aztec) - San Diego State football held on for a 28-21 victory over Arizona State University on Saturday night, escaping a late comeback attempt from the Sun Devils at SDCCU Stadium.
The Aztecs (2-1) allowed only a late fourth quarter touchdown to ASU, who did not record a second half first down until just over four minutes left in the game and after SDSU had pulled away with 14 unanswered points.
The Sun Devils (2-1) would not go away, however, and after pulling within a touchdown had one final chance to tie the game after SDSU sophomore running back Chase Jasmin fumbled the ball away with 43 seconds left while attempting to stretch out a would-be game sealing run.
ASU made it to midfield, but following three incompletions faced a fourth-and-10 with 13 seconds left. Redshirt senior quarterback Manny Wilkins lobbed a pass down field and initially appeared to connect with redshirt sophomore wide receiver Frank Darby on a 48 yard catch to the two-yard line, but after a review it was determined the ball hit the ground.
Sophomore warrior Trenton Thompson delivered a big hit on the play, but was called for targeting, which set up the Sun Devils on the Aztecs 45-yard line with six seconds left.
ASU’s last second heave from Wilkins was then deflected into the turf by senior safety Parker Baldwin, sealing a SDSU victory.
Head coach Rocky Long said the Aztecs were the best team on the field tonight and cut it too close at the end.
“We deserved to win the game, we outplayed them,” Long said. “We deserved to win and them even making it that close was ridiculous.”
