Aztecs Hold Off UNLV 14-10

Jalen Mayden threw a pair of touchdown passes and San Diego State forced four turnovers to hold off UNLV, 14-10, Saturday for Homecoming at Snapdragon Stadium. It was the fourth straight home win for the Aztecs (5-4, 3-2 MW).

Mayden was 19-for-31 for 216 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. It was the second straight game with multiple touchdown passes for Mayden, who has accounted for six overall the past two contests (four passing, two rushing).

After exchanging punts and an interception apiece in the first quarter, SDSU got on the scoreboard early in the second when Mayden found Jesse Matthews with a 28-yard touchdown pass as Matthews was able to beat two Rebel (4-5, 2-3 MW) defenders and get into the end zone for the second straight game. San Diego State converted a pair of third downs on the drive, going 65 yards on 10 plays.

The Aztecs made it 14-0 to begin the second half with a nifty 24-yard pass from Mayden to Mark Redman. SDSU went 75 yards on seven plays on the drive, culminating with Redman's first career score.

UNLV got into San Diego State territory on its ensuing drive, but Doug Brumfield's pass was picked off in the end zone by Dez Malone, his second of the season.

After the Rebels forced the Aztecs to a three-and-out, Brumfield connected on a 70-yard touchdown strike to Nick Williams to put UNLV on the scoreboard with 5:11 left in the third quarter.

SDSU's Jack Browning missed his second field goal of the night and the Rebels threatened to tie the game up, getting all the way to the San Diego State 12-yard line. Brumfield's pass, however, was intercepted for the second time in the end zone, this time by Dallas Branch. It was the first interception of the season for Branch and third of his career. Branch also had a fumble recovery, a career-high two tackles for loss and his first career sack.

The Aztecs couldn't get anything going on the ensuing drive and Browning dropped the snap on a punt, allowing UNLV to take over at the SDSU 14 with 12:41 left in the game. The San Diego State defense stood tall, holding the Rebels to a 29-yard field goal off the foot of Daniel Gutierrez.

Each team exchanged punts with the Aztecs eventually getting the ball back on their own 6-yard line with 5:41 left. SDSU methodically closed the game out, marching 79 yards on 11 plays before ending in victory formation. Jaylon Armstead was San Diego State's horse on the final drive, rushing six times for 56 yards, converting a pair of third-and-short situations.

Armstead finished with 72 yards on 14 carries (5.1 avg.). Matthews had a team-high five catches for 84 yards, while Tyrell Shavers (50 yards) and Mekhi Shaw (26 yards) each had four receptions.

Michael Shawcroft logged a game-high 11 tackles to pace the Aztec defense, while Patrick McMorris and Cooper McDonald chipped in with eight and seven tackles, respectfully.

SDSU beat its third opponent of the season coming off an idle week (bye).

San Diego State won its fourth straight game against the Rebels and eighth in nine tries.    

UP NEXT The Aztecs host San Jose State next Saturday (Nov. 12) at 7:30 p.m. The game will be shown on FS1.