San Diego State kicker throws TD on fake field goal in 30-13 Senior Day win over Utah State

SAN DIEGO — Cooper DiLeva had already made one field goal when San Diego State sent him out for what looked like another in the third quarter Saturday night. This time, the Aztecs’ kicker rolled to his right and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to linebacker Kai Wallin.

Wallin went into the end zone untouched, giving San Diego State its first double-digit lead on the way to a 30-13 Senior Day victory over Utah State at Snapdragon Stadium. DiLeva also made all three of his field-goal attempts, and Lucky Sutton ran for two touchdowns as the Aztecs won their fourth straight at home.

San Diego State (5-5, 4-2 Pac-12) has won three of its past four games and can secure bowl eligibility with a win next Saturday at No. 17 Boise State. The Aztecs got to the brink of a sixth win behind a rushing attack that produced 210 yards and a defense that held Utah State to 200 yards of total offense.

The fake field goal capped a 96-yard drive that began at the San Diego State 4-yard line after a Landon Rehkow punt. The Aztecs reached the Utah State 20 and lined up for an apparent 38-yard attempt. The holder took the snap and flipped the ball behind his back to DiLeva, who moved right and floated a pass to an open Wallin. DiLeva kicked the extra point for a 17-7 lead with 7:03 left in the third quarter.

Utah State (4-6, 3-3) had a chance to retake the lead earlier in the quarter when cornerback D’Angelo Mayes intercepted Stone Saunders on San Diego State’s first possession of the second half. The Aggies started at their own 42 after the interception and wound up punting. By the time they scored again, the Aztecs had put up 27 consecutive points.

The Aggies had opened the game with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. McCae Hillstead completed a 21-yard pass to Anthony Garcia to set up the score, and running back Nehemiah Washington recovered Hillstead’s fumble in the end zone to put Utah State ahead 7-0. DiLeva answered with a 31-yard field goal before the Aggies held San Diego State to 23 yards over its next three possessions.

Sutton put the Aztecs ahead for good with a 4-yard run with 1:25 left in the first half, finishing an 11-play, 57-yard drive. He finished with 96 yards on 21 carries, while Javion Kinnard led all rushers with 113 yards on 19 attempts. Together, they accounted for all but one of San Diego State’s 210 net rushing yards. Saunders added 180 yards through the air, and the Aztecs finished with 410 yards of offense.

DiLeva followed his touchdown pass with a 42-yard field goal late in the third quarter and a 34-yarder early in the fourth. Sutton’s 2-yard touchdown run with 2:12 remaining made it 30-7. San Diego State sacked Hillstead three times and held the Aggies to three conversions on 14 third downs and 61 yards rushing.

Hillstead completed 17 of 34 passes for 139 yards and found Garcia for a 5-yard touchdown with 1:10 remaining. The Aztecs recovered the ensuing onside kick. Utah State stays on the road next Saturday to face Oregon State.