Aztecs Run Past Hawaii In 38–14 Victory

Michael Blouse, The Stateline Gazette

HONOLULU — San Diego State didn’t just beat Hawaii on Saturday night.

The Aztecs imposed their will.

Behind a relentless rushing attack and a turnover-driven defensive performance, San Diego State rolled past Hawaii 38–14, controlling the game from the opening quarter and never allowing the Rainbow Warriors to find consistent rhythm.

San Diego State rushed for 226 yards and three touchdowns, repeatedly winning at the point of attack and wearing down Hawaii’s front over four quarters. The Aztecs led 7–0 after the first quarter, stretched the margin to 21–7 by halftime, and methodically pulled away in the second half.

“That’s who we are,” San Diego State head coach Chad Gruver said. “Physical, disciplined, and patient. We told our guys if we stayed committed to the run, good things would happen.”

Those good things arrived quickly.

San Diego State opened the scoring in the first quarter and leaned heavily on running back Lucky Sutton, who delivered a punishing performance. Sutton finished with 144 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, repeatedly breaking tackles and finding space at the second level.

“He was running angry,” Gruver said. “That sets a tone for everyone.”

Christian Washington complemented Sutton with 50 yards and a touchdown, as the Aztecs consistently kept Hawaii’s defense on the field. San Diego State controlled possession and tempo, limiting Hawaii’s opportunities to find momentum.

Quarterback Jayden Denegal complemented the ground-heavy approach with efficiency and restraint. Denegal completed 21 of 24 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, repeatedly moving the chains and avoiding mistakes.He connected with Jacob Bostick for a 72-yard receiving night that included a touchdown, providing timely balance to the offense.

San Diego State led 24–14 after three quarters before putting the game away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, turning the final period into a formality.

Defensively, the Aztecs capitalized on Hawaii’s miscues.

Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted six times, several of which set up short fields and scoring opportunities for San Diego State.

“That’s on me,” Hawaii head coach Steve Hultgren said. “We put our defense in impossible situations. You can’t turn the ball over like that and expect to compete against a disciplined team.”

Hawaii struggled to establish balance, finishing with just 106 rushing yards and forcing Alejado to shoulder nearly the entire offensive load. Despite flashes through the air, the Rainbow Warriors never found a sustainable rhythm.

“We never got into rhythm,” Hultgren said. “When you’re one-dimensional, defenses tee off.”

San Diego State finished with 391 total yards and dictated the flow throughout, reinforcing its identity as a physical, methodical team as conference play continues.

“We’re not flashy,” Gruver said. “We’re just tough.”

For Hawaii, the loss marked a stark contrast from recent offensive success and raised questions as the season moves deeper into league play.

“We’ll learn from it,” Hultgren said. “We have to.”

San Diego State made sure the lesson was unmistakable.

Statistics

San Diego State—391 total yards (226 rushing, 165 passing).

Hawaii—340 total yards (106 rushing, 234 passing).

Individual statistics

Passing—San Diego State, Denegal 21-24-165, TD. Hawaii, Alejado 16-30-234, 2 TD, 6 INT.

Rushing—San Diego State, Sutton 16-144, 2 TD; Washington 7-50, TD; Denegal 4-27. Hawaii, Alejado 6-70; Simms 3-36.

Receiving—San Diego State, Bostick 5-72, TD; Brown 6-45; Napier 3-15; Ford 2-8; Welsh 1-4. Hawaii, Harris 4-58, TD; White 3-43; Ashlock 3-31; Tauaefa 4-16; Cenacle 1-51; Salave’a 1-35, TD.