Denegal Leads SDSU Avalanche as Aztecs Rout Memphis 52–24

Kyle Craig, The Stateline Gazette

SAN DIEGO — Jayden Denegal delivered a near-flawless performance as San Diego State closed Week 6 with authority, overwhelming Memphis 52–24 on Friday night in a West Division statement game that quickly turned one-sided.

Denegal accounted for six touchdowns, carving up the Tigers through the air and on the ground as the Aztecs seized control early and never let go.

“This is the standard we’re chasing,” SDSU head coach Chad Gruver said. “Fast start, discipline, and finishing. When we play like that, we’re hard to deal with.”

Aztecs strike early, often

San Diego State wasted no time asserting itself, racing out to a 14–0 first-quarter lead and building a commanding 31–14 advantage by halftime. Denegal was sharp from the opening drive, spreading the ball across the field and capitalizing on Memphis mistakes.

The Aztecs finished with 536 total yards, pairing a physical rushing attack with an ultra-efficient passing game that kept the Tigers on their heels throughout the night.

“We wanted to dictate tempo,” Gruver said. “Jayden was in complete control, and our receivers executed at a really high level.”

Denegal’s masterpiece

Denegal authored one of the most complete performances of the season, completing 27 of 30 passes for 399 yards and four touchdowns while adding two rushing scores. His decisiveness and ability to punish coverage breakdowns turned the contest into a runaway by the third quarter.

“He sees the field as well as any quarterback in this league,” Gruver said. “When he’s decisive like that, everything opens up.”

Running back Lucky Sutton complemented the aerial assault with 109 rushing yards and a touchdown, while the Aztecs consistently won at the line of scrimmage.

Receiving corps overwhelms Memphis

San Diego State’s receivers were relentless. Donovan Brown led the way with 153 receiving yards, Jordan Napier added 127 yards and a touchdown, and Jacob Bostick delivered a devastating red-zone performance with three touchdown receptions on six catches.

“It felt like whoever we called on was ready,” Gruver said. “That’s trust.”

Memphis flashes, but can’t keep pace

Memphis showed brief signs of life behind running back Sutton Smith, who rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Brendon Lewis threw for 318 yards, but two interceptions and stalled drives proved costly.

“We just couldn’t get off the field early,” Memphis head coach John Horak said. “Against a team like that, you give them extra possessions and it snowballs.”

By the end of the third quarter, SDSU had stretched the lead to 45–24, effectively putting the game out of reach.

“I liked our fight,” Horak said. “But the margin for error was gone early, and they made us pay.”

Statement win in the West

The victory solidified San Diego State’s position as a West Division frontrunner, showcasing a ceiling few teams in the league can match. Memphis fell back into the middle of the pack with little margin remaining.

“This was about who we want to be in February,” Gruver said. “Tonight, our guys showed it.”

As Week 6 closed, San Diego State sent a clear message — the Aztecs aren’t just winning, they’re peaking.

San Diego State 52, Memphis 24

Team statistics San Diego State — 536 total yards; 26 rushing attempts, 137 yards, 3 TDs; 27 of 30 passing, 399 yards, 4 TDs Memphis — 451 total yards; 17 rushing attempts, 133 yards, 2 TDs; 26 of 36 passing, 318 yards, TD

Passing San Diego State — Jayden Denegal 27-30-399, 4 TDs Memphis — Brendon Lewis 26-35-318, TD, 2 INTs

Rushing San Diego State — Lucky Sutton 20-109, TD; Jayden Denegal 5-23, 2 TDs; Christian Washington 1-5 Memphis — Sutton Smith 11-120, 2 TDs; Brendon Lewis 5-13; Greg DesRosiers 1-0

Receiving San Diego State — Donovan Brown 7-153; Jordan Napier 6-127, TD; Jacob Bostick 6-31, 3 TDs; Jackson Ford 3-42; Mikey Welsh 1-29 Memphis — Brady Kluse 6-63; Jerry Cross 4-60; Cortez Braham Jr. 5-58; Jamari Hawkins 1-58; Marcello Bussey 3-34, TD; Sutton Smith 4-29