Green Wave steal win at horn, stun San Diego State 48–45

By Kyle Craig, Stateline Gazette

SAN DIEGO — By the time the cornerback slipped and Shazz Preston sprinted past him, the outcome flipped in an instant.

Tulane stunned San Diego State 48–45 on a 48-yard touchdown pass on the final play Saturday night, stealing a Week 3 victory that turned on one missed step and one clean throw.

“We talk all the time about poise and belief,” Tulane coach Evan Wilkins said. “That’s not something you turn on in the last 10 seconds. Our guys had it all night.”

Tulane rode running back Javin Gordon throughout a back-and-forth game that featured seven lead changes. Gordon rushed for 232 yards and four touchdowns, repeatedly keeping the Green Wave within striking distance.

San Diego State appeared to have delivered the finishing blow late. Lucky Sutton rushed for 176 yards, quarterback Jayden Denegal completed 22 of 25 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns, and Christian Washington scored on a 10-yard run with 48 seconds remaining to put the Aztecs ahead.

“That drive was exactly what we wanted,” San Diego State coach Chad Gruver said. “We were physical, we executed, and we put ourselves in position to win.”

Tulane had one play left.

On the final snap, quarterback Jake Retzlaff dropped back and fired down the right sideline. Coverage broke down, Preston was left alone, and he raced 48 yards to the end zone as time expired.

“You trust your guys in those moments,” Retzlaff said. “Shazz made a play, plain and simple.”

For San Diego State, the loss erased a night of offensive efficiency in a heartbeat.

“That’s football,” Gruver said. “One play can change everything. I'm gonna kill myself”

For Tulane, it was a defining moment — belief rewarded, persistence validated, and a reminder that one snap can rewrite an entire night.

“Games like this,” Wilkins said, “they stay with you forever.”