SDSU accepts invitation to EasyPost Hawaii Bowl

The San Diego State football team has accepted an invitation to play Middle Tennessee in the 2022 EasyPost Hawai`i Bowl at 3 p.m. HST (5 p.m. PST) on Saturday, Dec. 24. The game will be played at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex and will be carried  on ESPN.  

The Aztecs (7-5) are in a bowl game for the 12th time in the last 13 seasons after withdrawing from consideration in the shortened 2020 COVID season.

After a loss to Air Force on their Senior Night on Saturday, the Aztecs are keeping hope alive for their seniors for one last game. 

"I'm excited that we get a chance to play one more time for our seniors," San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke said. "I'm proud of the way our team has fought through adversity this year and to make another bowl game is a testament to their dedication and hard work. We're looking forward to playing a tough Middle Tennessee State team and to spend a week in Hawaii."  

"On behalf of the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl Executive Committee, I congratulate both San Diego State and Middle Tennessee on successful seasons and we look forward to welcoming the players, coaches and fans of both universities to the Aloha State," executive director Daryl Garvin said. "Both teams had strong finishes to their respective seasons and we anticipate a highly competitive match-up in addition to the one-of-a-kind atmosphere that fans have come to expect at the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl."  

SDSU and the Blue Raiders (7-5) have never met. San Diego State is 25-5 all-time against current Conference USA members, including a 38-24 win against 2021 C-USA champion UTSA in last year's Frisco Bowl in Frisco, Texas.  

The Aztecs are playing in their 20th bowl game all-time and 16th in its Division I era.  

SDSU is playing in the Hawai'i Bowl for the second time after beating Cincinnati, 42-7, in the 2015 bowl.  

Ticket information will be released soon.

This past Saturday, the Air Force Academy Falcons snapped SDSU’s nine- game victory streak. Air Force (9-3, 5-3 MW) limited the Aztecs to minus -1 yard rushing and eight first downs for the game while posting two fourth quarter interceptions in the end zone to dash any hopes of an Aztec comeback. 

SDSU found itself in pursuit mode for the entire game after Air Force fullback Brad Roberts broke free up the middle for 63 yards to the Aztec 6 on the second play of the game. Three snaps later, Roberts plowed into the end zone, giving the Falcons a 7-0 lead they would not relinquish.

San Diego State responded with a seven-play, 45-yard drive on its first possession, highlighted by Jalen Mayden's 28-yard completion to Mark Redman to the Air Force 28. However, the Scarlet and Black came up empty when Jack Browning misfired on a 45-yard field goal attempt, setting an ominous tone for the remainder of the contest.

Mayden finished with 188 yards on 16-of-32 passing with two picks, while Matthews totaled four catches for 29 yards, becoming the 14th player in SDSU history with over 2,000 career receiving yards.

Defensively, the Aztecs were led by Michael Shawcroft and Jonah Tavai, who set collegiate bests with 12 tackles apiece. Shawcroft came up with nine solo stops and had two tackles for loss, including a sack.