Aztecs 'next man up' mantra not enough to win New Mexico Bowl

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- This is a familiar feeling for the San Diego State Aztecs, who a month ago lost their chance to clinch the Mountain West Conference during their overtime bout against the Lobos in New Mexico. 

Fast forward to Saturday at University Stadium, the Aztecs fell short to win the New Mexico Bowl to the North Texas Mean Green, 49-47. Despite the positive of having quite the turn around from their previous 3-9 season in 2024, San Diego State came up a win shy from having double-digit wins for first time since 2021, going 12-2 overall with a 7-1 conference record. 

They also fell short of having the largest one year win turn around in the program's history, under the helm of second-year head coach Sean Lewis. 

A tip of the cap to North Texas, they were able to find a few more plays, but tremendous fight by our guys," Lewis said. "Really proud of the way our guys stepped up. We talk all the time about a next man-up mentality and fighting to the very end and staying until the job is done, and really, really pleased in all three phases." 

However for Lewis and his unit, a lot of transpired since walking off the field in disappointing and lackluster fashion back during Thanksgiving weekend. 

To begin, the Aztecs lost their respected defensive coordinator Rob Aurich because he accepted the job to become Nebraska's next DC. They also didn't have starting quarterback Jayden Denegal under center because he is currently recovering from surgery on shoulder, an injury has dealt and struggled with all season. Backup and alike transfer Bert Emanuel Jr. stepped in and made his first start in the Scarlet and Black. 

Before exiting the game with an injury before halftime, Emanuel looked sufficient as a passer, but nothing impressive going 4-for-7 for 37 yards. He did create issues for North Texas' defense when he used his legs, as he led the team with 170 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns on 11 attempts. Emanuel also had two big explosive running plays on back-to-back possessions, that featured runs of 69 and 72 yards. 

The Aztecs' third string junior Kyle Crum replaced Emanuel and did what he could, having not played in a game since 2022. He finished 14-for-29, throwing for 169 passing yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. While in defeat, Crum managed lead a couple of drives to make the game it a one possession game, including 11-yard TD run by Christian Washington with 4:39 left in the fourth quarter. However, the team decided to go for it on a two-point conversion and failed, leaving the score 49-40.   

"We were always in the fight, even to the last drive," Crum said. "If we scored with a little more time, we've got a chance for an onside. And we were always in that game. so I think the guys on the sidelines never stopped believing and we gave it all we got until the time expired." 

It was tough for Crum and the offense to get anything going through the air without Jordan Napier, the team's leading receiver. Junior Nathan Acevedo elevated his play and made some impactful plays, including a 63-yard punt return touchdown to make it a one possession game. He also led the team in receiving with a season-high in receptions (4) and yards (61). 

Running back Lucky Sutton finished with 15 carries for just 60 yards and Washington rushed for 77 yard. As a whole, the Aztecs finished with a total of 326 rushing yards, ran for 7.1 per-attempt, and five touchdowns, which is the most they've had all season. 

By some surprise, the biggest thing working against them was their defense, who has been their biggest strength throughout the regular season and is regarded one of top defenses in nation. 

The renowned group allowed an astonishing 618 total net yards and played uncharacter liked, missing tackles and not being able to stop the run. North Texas' running attack opposed their will onto the Aztecs early on, giving up 237 yards in the first half and another 131 during the final two quarters. On North Texas' first two drives of the game, they ran the ball 12 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

"Our game plan was just to stop the run, Aztecs linebacker DJ Heran said. "That was something that we were prominent with these last couple of weeks after we found out they were coming here, and just overall, it just didn't happen to our expectations. And you know, the game happened and it was not the result that we wanted." 

Running backs Caleb Hawkins (198) and Ashton Gray (152) each ran for over 150 yards rushing and averaged over 6.5 yards per-carry. Hawkins finished the game with three touchdowns (two rushing and one receiving). 

San Diego State enabled Drew Mestemaker, who leads the FBS in passing yards and is second in touchdowns, to rip apart the secondary, throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns. 

"They're really good offensively," Lewis said. "You don't fall out of bed and become the No. 1 scoring offense in the country. They've got really good players." 

Despite not recording a sack, the defense managed to come up with a pair of interceptions, by safeties Jelani McLaughlin and Dwayne McDougle, who now has three on the year. 

While the team did not have available some of their usual starters in the lineup, they did have names like Trey White, Owen Chambliss, Niles King, Ryan Henderson and Mister Williams. 

With the season now coming to close, what is left on the docket for San Diego State, which we've already seen, is to see which players will or will not enter the transfer portal. The assumption is that most players currently on the team will stay put on the Mesa, but nothing is guaranteed, especially after how the season ended, only needing to beat New Mexico to host the Mountain West Championship and now failing to end the season on a high-note with a bowl game victory. 

Nonetheless, the Aztecs finished the season beating expectations under Lewis in just his second year. They were projected to finish eighth overall in MWC and were a win away from a 10 win season. The defense was near the top in almost every important statistic category, and also had one of the best running attacks in the nation.  

It is also officially the end of the Aztecs' final chapter in the MWC and will have a new home, joining the PAC-12 in 2026. With Lewis in command and setting the culture he has envisioned since day one, there is a lot on the horizon for San Diego State as they embark a new journey with a promising future ahead.