San Diego State vs. Boise State: Aztecs crumble in second half
Recap of San Diego State’s loss to Boise State
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Aztecs with a devastating 35-13 loss
In a tale of two halves, Boise State pulled off a 35-13 comeback win over San Diego State on Friday. San Diego State’s offense shriveled up in the final two quarters and the game fell apart.
With Hank Bachmeier in the transfer portal, Boise State leaned on Taylen Green to lead the Broncos on Friday. He threw an interception at the 10:59 mark in the first quarter in his first possession as a starter.
Kicker Jack Browning knocked down a field goal for San Diego State with 7:23 left in the 1st quarter. On the next offensive possession, San Diego State nearly had a touchdown, but it was recalled after an illegal man down the field penalty. The Aztecs had to settle for another field goal, which extended the lead to 6-0.
Sam Vidlak stepped in at quarterback for Boise State in the second quarter. The Broncos went back and forth with Green and Vidlak as the quarterback. At halftime, San Diego State held a 13-0 lead. Boise State’s offense struggled to manufacture anything in the first half without Bachmeier.
Whatever Boise State head coach Andy Avalos told the team in the locker room at halftime must have worked. Boise State capitalized on an interception of Burmeister and immediately scored to start the third quarter with a 17-yard touchdown run by Green. Boise State trailed San Diego State, 13-7.
Burmeister later left the game with an injury after he was hit by JL Skinner. Kyle Crum came in to replace Burmeister and struggled to generate any offense. Burmeister did not return for the remainder of the game.
Boise State running back George Holani gave his team a 14-13 advantage with 4:43 to go in the third quarter. Ashton Jeanty tacked on another rushing touchdown with a 32-yard scamper with 46 seconds left in the third. Boise State was up 21-13 at the end of the third. The Broncos rattled off 21 unanswered points in the third quarter.
Crum ended up leaving the game at the end of the third quarter, which prompted third-string quarterback Liu Aumavae to play for the Aztecs. San Diego State failed to have an extensive drive for Aumavae and Browning came on to punt again.
Green had another rushing touchdown for the Broncos in the fourth quarter. Boise State jumped out to a 28-13 lead. The Broncos ran the ball down San Diego State’s throat with five rushing touchdowns in the second half. Holani put the final nail in the proverbial coffin with Boise State’s fifth rushing touchdown.
Boise State went on to win 35-13. The game ended with 35 unanswered points from Boise State. The win propelled Boise State to a 3-2 record. The Aztecs dropped to a 2-3 record with the loss. In Week 6, San Diego State will look to bounce back against Hawaii.
There will be plenty of questions that will need to be answered immediately for Brady Hoke’s squad. The Aztecs need a quarterback who can stay healthy and score points.
