San Diego State has been searching for a signature win in the Sean Lewis era since, well, ever since Lewis was hired 22 months ago.
It finally came Saturday night against Cal amid roars of approval rarely heard in three-plus seasons at Snapdragon Stadium.
The Golden Bears came into the game as unbeaten, two-touchdown favorites. They left with a lopsided loss.
SDSU’s defense sparked a 34-0 victory with a goal-line stand on Cal’s opening drive and a pair of third-quarter takeaways for touchdowns — a 33-yard fumble return by safety Dwayne McDougle and a 97-yard interception return by cornerback Chris Johnson.
It was SDSU’s first shutout against a Power conference school in 50 years.
SDSU led 13-0 at halftime before an announced crowd of 31,369 (21,819 turnstile) on a 6-yard shovel pass from quarterback Jayden Denegal and 34- and 41-yard field goals by Gabe Plascencia. The second field goal was the 16th straight for Plascencia, setting a school record.
The Aztecs (2-1) were in dire need of a pick-me-up after a 36-13 loss at Washington State in which the Cougars scored 29 unanswered points. SDSU had two weeks to contemplate that one.
The defense came out inspired in this one.
The Bears were in the midst of a 10-minute, 19-play drive in the first quarter that advanced them within a yard of SDSU’s goal line.
On third-and-goal, Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele handed off to running back Kendrick Raphael. SDSU’s Johnson raced in from the outside and dropped him for a 1-yard loss.
On fourth-and-goal, Sagapolutele dropped back, looking, looking, before throwing to tight end Landon Morris in the back of the end zone. SDSU safety Dalesean Staley broke it up, and the Aztecs took over.
The video board flashed “Threat block” after the play.
It was just one drive, but it set the tone.
Thus inspired, SDSU’s offense made it 7-0 four minutes into the second quarter on a drive highlighted by a 90-yard pass from Denegal to Jordan Napier. It was the Aztecs’ longest pass play since an 89-yard pass from Christian Chapman to Fred Trevillion in 2017 at Boise State.
Plascencia’s first field goal followed another defensive stop. His second one came as time expired in the second quarter.
In between, during a stop in play as Cal drove down the field, SDSU defenders looked to the crowd and lifted their arms. The fans responded with a roar.
A couple plays later, Cal missed a 44-yard field goal attempt and the Aztecs were on the way to their second shutout in three games. The Bears were averaging 32 points coming into the game.
When the Bears seemed to be closing in on a score four minutes into the third quarter, Staley forced a fumble and McDougle scooped up the loose ball and scored to make it 20-0.
Sagapolutele (17-for-38, 208 yards, 2 INTs) had played mature beyond his years in leading the Bears (3-1) to three wins this season.
Against the Aztecs, the true freshman from Hawaii acted his age.
With the Bears inside the red zone, Sagapolutele lofted a sideline pass that Johnson jumped on at the 3-yard line. He followed a couple blocks before bursting into the clear for the final 50 yards to make it 27-0. Staley struck again on the next possession, picking off a Sagapolutele sideline pass.
SDSU completed the scoring midway through the fourth quarter on a 6-yard carry by running back Lucky Sutton (12 carries, 61 yards).
Denegal, who struggled against Washington State, shined against the Bears, completed 15 of 18 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. Napier was his favorite target, catching nine passes for 154 yards and a score.
Originally Published: September 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM PDT