Aztecs take on Oregon State on Saturday at Snapdragon.
San Diego State vs. Oregon State Game Info
- Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Sling (Regional restrictions may apply)
- City: San Diego, California
- Venue: Snapdragon Stadium
- Sirius/XM Radio: 132 or 201
The San Diego State Aztecs (1-0) host the Oregon State Beavers (1-0) at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
The Oregon State Beavers and San Diego State Aztecs will meet on Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium in week 2 of college football.
Oregon State and San Diego State will both face tougher competition when they meet Saturday night in a non-conference matchup in San Diego.
The Aztecs will face their first major challenge of the season when they take on Oregon State this Saturday evening at Snapdragon Stadium.
After an expected win against Texas A&M-Commerce, San Diego State (1-0) steps into a tougher contest against a formidable Oregon State team. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
The Beavers (1-0) are coming off a 38-15 victory over Idaho State. In that game, they dominated the ground game with 362 rushing yards and controlled the tempo throughout.
Oregon State ran 72 plays to Idaho State’s 51 and nearly doubled their time of possession.
This ball-control offense will likely wear down most opponents, a scenario the Aztecs must avoid if they hope to win.
San Diego State shifted gears in the second half to secure a 45-14 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce, marking the debut of head coach Sean Lewis.
“We’ve got a tough challenge with San Diego State,” said Oregon State coach Trent Bray. “They’re a talented, well-coached team.
Playing on the road adds another layer, so we need to be at our best and improve from Game 1 to Game 2.”
Bray noted that San Diego State’s offensive scheme is similar to his own. “Last week was unique, but this game feels more familiar to what we’re used to and have practiced against,” he said.
Bray was impressed with San Diego State freshman quarterback Danny O’Neil, who completed 22 of 33 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. “We’ll aim to make him throw into tight windows, and I feel good about our ability to do that,” Bray added.
Lewis emphasized the need for his team to control the line of scrimmage better than Idaho State did. Oregon State’s Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson combined for 315 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
“They’re going to rely heavily on their run game and time of possession,” Lewis said. “We have to stop the run and take that advantage away, which will be a real test.”
Lewis also stressed the importance of discipline, as the Aztecs drew 16 penalties for 149 yards last week. “We have to be more detailed and disciplined. Those penalties were inexcusable, and extended drives or stalled our own. It’s something we need to address this week,” he said.
San Diego State, led by breakout star Marquez Cooper, who rushed for 223 yards against Texas A&M-Commerce, will aim to counter with a more balanced offensive approach.
While the Aztecs managed 73 plays last week, they trailed in time of possession, an area they must improve to compete with Oregon State.
Quarterback Danny O’Neill, who threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, will need to control the passing game, while Cooper continues to slash through defenses on the ground.
Oregon State poses a significant threat with their potent running back duo of Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson, who combined for 315 yards and four touchdowns against Idaho State.
The Aztecs will need to limit their rushing effectiveness, holding them to around 3 yards per carry to have a chance.
Defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt will focus on controlling the line of scrimmage and pressuring Oregon State’s passing game, which was efficient last week, going 11/14 for 148 yards.
This non-conference matchup is part of a rare scheduling arrangement between Oregon State, Washington State, and Mountain West teams following conference realignment.
While it does not count toward conference standings, it provides a legitimate test for both programs.
For San Diego State to secure a victory, ball control and discipline will be crucial.
Head coach Sean Lewis acknowledged the challenge of stopping Oregon State’s run-heavy offense and emphasized the need for his team to clean up penalties, after being flagged 16 times for 149 yards last week.
Oregon State’s ability to grind down opponents with time of possession is well-known, and the Aztecs will need to match that control on both sides of the ball.
If Cooper can replicate his explosive performance and the defense can corral Oregon State’s ground game, San Diego State could position themselves for an upset in what promises to be a tough, hard-fought battle.
Predicting the outcome between San Diego State and Oregon State is challenging, as both teams bring strong elements to the matchup.
Oregon State has the edge due to its dominant running game, led by Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson, who combined for 315 yards and four touchdowns last week.
Their ability to control the clock and wear down opponents with a ball-control offense will be tough for San Diego State to handle.
The Beavers also have a solid, efficient passing game that complements their run-heavy attack.
However, San Diego State can make it competitive if Marquez Cooper, fresh off a 223-yard rushing performance, continues his momentum.
If the Aztecs’ defense can contain Oregon State’s rushing attack and force the Beavers into passing situations, they could disrupt their rhythm.
Freshman quarterback Danny O’Neill will also need to rise to the occasion and avoid mistakes under pressure.
This should be a very entertaining game form a fans perspective and will reveal both teams’ strengths and weaknesses as well.
In the end, Oregon State’s experience and depth, especially on the ground, give them the advantage.
Prediction: Oregon State wins 31-27, though San Diego State has the potential to keep it close if they execute well on both sides of the ball.
