Three thoughts after San Diego State’s 45-24 Mountain West win over Colorado State on Friday night at Snapdragon Stadium:
San Diego State coach Sean Lewis (right) and Colorado’s State coach Jay Norvell speak briefly after SDSU beat the Rams. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
1. Sleepover
SDSU coach Sean Lewis has slept overnight in his office three times during his career, including twice this season.
The first time was after the Aztecs returned from their 36-13 loss at Washington State.
“When we came back from Wazzu, we got delayed traveling back and I was just upset,” Lewis said. “I didn’t want to go home and be a bad father and husband, so I just stayed in the office to clear my mind.”
When the Aztecs returned from last week’s 6-3 win at Northern Illinois, they were behind as soon as they landed because they faced a short week with a Friday game against Colorado State.
“You’re doing the mashup day of Sunday and Monday all on Sunday and we made some high-speed decisions to be prepared for our evening jog-thru on Sunday,” said Lewis, mindful of an offense that managed just two field goals. “As we’re on the field, you’re solving the problems with the kids and you’re presenting the plan.
“There’s some things that probably because of time on task we hadn’t thought through early enough. We all kind of looked around at each other as an offensive staff and there were some things we needed to iron out before we went and practiced Monday morning.
“It was a simple fact that Monday is our big, physical work day. The things that we call, the things that we rep, better be things we’re going to use. The only way to make sure that we’re right in that regard is to spend more time together with the plan and with the tape.”
The Aztecs got off the practice field Sunday night after 8.
“I’m putting on a pot of coffee, like, let’s work through this,” Lewis said, “and we were in our war room until 1:15 in the morning.”
Player meetings were scheduled to begin six hours later. Then practice.
“Some guys went home and took a four-hour nap,” Lewis said. “For me, the cost-benefit analysis of a 25-minute drive up and a 25-minute drive back is going to cut into an hour of sleep that I could just get here. Posted up in the office and that was that.”
Several others on the staff came to the same conclusion.
“There was a really good focus, vibe, with the staff,” Lewis said. “We were really motivated to get it right for the kids. Also, there wasn’t really a choice. It’s like, ‘We’re presenting this at 7:15 (Monday) morning. We have to do this now.’
“This is where the sicko mode of us kicks in. It turns competitive. We’re doing this. I know they’re (the opposing staff) doing this. We’re going to win the prep. That became a big theme of the week. We’re all pushing, burning the midnight oil.
“It takes what it takes. If we want to go earn the right to win again, this is what we need to do and really challenge the guys to win the prep. Have the competitive stamina here over 13 days for these two games.
“I thought the staff and everyone in the program did a tremendous job with it.”
It helps when all that preparation, lack of sleep and lost time with family pays off with a 21-point victory.
“Fortunately, I’ve got a rock star of a wife who knows and understands,” Lewis said. “I do what needs to be done, and she holds it down. It helps with some of the husband guilt and dad guilt of not being present all the time. You get that win and it leads to job security and being able to continue to provide for your family. Winning helps.”
San Diego State quarterback Jayden Denegal looks to throw a pass in the second quarter against Colorado State. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
2. Denegal steps forward
SDSU quarterback Jayden Denegal’s decision-making, among other things, was questioned in SDSU’s loss to the Cougars. He has responded with improved performances, none better than Friday’s against Colorado State.
Denegal (13-for-16, 256 yards, 2 TDs) for first-half touchdowns of 45 and 42 yards and hit another receiver for 61 yards, setting up another TD. They were three beautiful throws, the likes of which have not been seen from an SDSU quarterback in more than a decade.
“We played pitch and catch tonight, which is really cool,” Lewis said. “Because of that it’s like, ‘Whoa.’ We obsess on the process, the approach and, yeah, he’s a really, really talented kid. He’s got the ability to touch the whole field. He showed that tonight. … We put a ton on JD’s plate to manage and control, and he did great.
“Again, it’s a culmination of all the hard work they’ve put in. There was a lot of that that we saw (in Denegal) through spring ball and through training camp that gave us the confidence that would come to life in real time, in game reps.”
How much does Denegal’s performance act as a springboard going forward?
“Time will tell,” Lewis said. “Like any of us, when you put so much into something and you have a really good showing, a really good performance, it recharges you, it gives you confidence, it allows you to lean back into the work even more.”
Denegal’s pass efficiency rating was 256.90, the third-best mark in SDSU’s Division I history (since 1969) and best since Kevin McKechnie’s school-record mark of 291.81 against Navy in 1997.
San Diego State players celebrate the team’s win over Colorado State. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
3. What goes with crow?
Several SDSU graduates were among those gathered in Ocean Beach for the wedding of a close friend the day after the Aztecs’ loss at Washington State.
After toasting the happy couple and wishing them well, the discussion touched on a most disappointing loss to the Cougars.
Mel Koren, never too shy to share an opinion, offered this: “I don’t see them winning more than two games this season.”
The Aztecs improved to 4-1 against the Rams.
With the Aztecs leading 31-10 early in the second half, Koren texted: “Ok, I’m officially eating crow.”
ChatGPT suggests pairing it with a full-bodied red wine.
What led to Koren to his initial observation and what convinced him he was wrong?
“I was basing a lot of my opinion on how the team did last year from start to finish,” he said. “I didn’t think they progressed at all. If anything, I thought they regressed.
“Then, when they came out in the first game or two this year and I saw the same stuff, especially in the Washington State game, like bad penalties, some questionable strategic moves and not a lot of offense, I thought, ‘Here we go again.’
“I didn’t get to see the Cal game (a 34-0 SDSU win), unfortunately. I was at my high school reunion. But there’s a diehard Aztecs fan who went to my high school. We’ve been commiserating. The whole time at the reunion, he’s coming up to me with score updates. I’m like, ‘No way.’ ”
Koren also missed last week’s 6-3 win at Northern Illinois. He had a legitimate excuse: he underwent heart surgery earlier in the week.
After Friday night’s victory, he texted: “This is helping my recovery.”
“What I saw against Colorado State was not the same team I’ve seen the past couple of years,” Mel said. “Even though I don’t think they were at their best defensively, I haven’t seen offense like that from us, where we’re balanced, running, passing, offensive line play.
“I don’t know how much of that is us and how much Colorado State is just bad, but if they keep playing like that, the fans are going to start coming back. I think the fans are going to come back after this game. I was thoroughly impressed.
“It was an entertaining brand of football and it was a good brand of football. If Lewis keeps doing that, I’ll be the first to say I had the wrong, wrong opinion.”
Does this mean Koren is prepared to join in with the “I believe” chant? He’s clearing his throat.
“Yes,” he said. “I believe. … I’m excited. A couple more wins and you’re not going to have to pay people to go to the games. I’m going to go.”
Koren’s crow-eating story was shared with Lewis.
“Ok. All good,” he laughed. “Buy a ticket. Let’s see you when we play Wyoming (next home game, Nov. 1). We’ll welcome you. Hop on the bandwagon. There’s plenty of room for everyone.”
Originally Published: October 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM PDT