SDSU Capitalizes on Two Interceptions, Outlasts Hawaii 42-35 in Stateline Elite Quarterfinal

Michael Blouse, The Stateline Gazette

SAN DIEGO — In a quarterfinal defined by near-perfect offense, it was two defensive plays that sent San Diego State to the semifinals.

Third-seeded SDSU intercepted Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado twice — including once in the final 20 seconds — and held off the sixth-seeded Warriors 42-35 on Wednesday night in a Stateline Elite shootout where nearly every possession ended in a touchdown.

The Aztecs will face the winner of No. 7 Memphis at No. 2 North Texas in the semifinals. Hawaii’s season ended one play short of a potential overtime — or a two-point attempt for the win.

San Diego State piled up 450 total yards and scored touchdowns on every meaningful possession. Quarterback Jayden Denegal completed 17 of 19 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns, spreading the ball efficiently while avoiding turnovers.

Lucky Sutton, the McGurn Memorial Running Back of the Year, rushed 20 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns as the Aztecs ran for 167 yards on 25 carries.

Hawaii was just as explosive, finishing with 465 yards of offense. Alejado, the DJ Lenehan Quarterback of the Year, completed 24 of 35 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted twice. He also ran three times for 34 yards and a score.

The teams were tied 7-7 after one quarter and 21-21 at halftime, with neither defense able to slow the other.

The first turning point came on Hawaii’s opening possession of the second half. With the game tied, Alejado was intercepted, and SDSU quickly converted the takeaway into a touchdown to take a 35-28 lead.

Denegal threw touchdown passes to Jacob Bostick twice — Bostick finished with three catches for 122 yards — and also connected with Jackson Ford and another receiver during the four-touchdown performance. Ford caught six passes for 73 yards and a score, including the go-ahead touchdown with 1:20 remaining. Jordan Napier added five receptions for 55 yards, and Donovan Brown had three catches for 33 yards.

Hawaii answered repeatedly behind its skill players. Pofele Ashlock caught nine passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson Harris had six receptions for 65 yards and a score, while tight end Devon Tauaefa added three catches for 58 yards.

Running back Landon Sims rushed 20 times for 137 yards and a touchdown and added two receptions for 23 yards as the Warriors ran for 171 yards on 23 carries.

After Denegal’s fourth touchdown pass — a strike to Ford that gave SDSU a 42-35 lead — Hawaii mounted one final drive. Alejado moved the Warriors to the Aztecs’ 15-yard line with 20 seconds left.

Rolling to his left under pressure, Alejado threw back across his body toward the middle of the field. An SDSU defender stepped in front of the pass for the second interception of the night, sealing the victory. The Aztecs ran one handoff to drain the clock.

In a game where both teams combined for 915 yards and 11 offensive touchdowns, the only two meaningful drives that did not end in touchdowns were Hawaii’s two interceptions.

That proved to be enough.

San Diego State advances with one of its most efficient offensive performances of the season, pairing 4-for-4 touchdown efficiency in the red zone with just enough defensive opportunism. Hawaii exits after producing one of the most explosive statistical nights of the postseason — undone by two throws that changed everything. Team Statistics Hawaii — 35 7 14 7 7 San Diego State — 42 7 14 14 7

First downs: Hawaii 25, SDSU 23. Total offense: Hawaii 465, SDSU 450. Rushes-yards: Hawaii 23-171, SDSU 25-167. Passing: Hawaii 294, SDSU 283. .

Individual Statistics

Rushing Hawaii — Landon Sims 20-137, 1 TD; Micah Alejado 3-34, 1 TD. SDSU — Lucky Sutton 20-138, 2 TDs; Christian Washington 3-23; Jayden Denegal 2-6.

Passing Hawaii — Micah Alejado 24-35-2-294, 3 TDs. SDSU — Jayden Denegal 17-19-0-283, 4 TDs.

Receiving Hawaii — Pofele Ashlock 9-107, 2 TDs; Jackson Harris 6-65, 1 TD; Brandon White 4-41; Devon Tauaefa 3-58; Landon Sims 2-23. SDSU — Jackson Ford 6-73, 1 TD; Jacob Bostick 3-122, 2 TDs; Jordan Napier 5-55; Donovan Brown 3-33.