Through three quarters the Old Oil Can looked ready to return to the Mesa for the first time since 2019.
Instead, the battle for it ended with San Diego State shocked as Fresno State scored the final 22 points of the game in a 32-28 loss on Saturday night at Valley Children’s Stadium in Fresno.
Senior Jalen Mayden accounted for four touchdowns — two passing and two rushing — but the Aztecs’ (4-4, 2-2) signal caller could only watch as the returning Mountain West Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Jake Haener orchestrated the comeback.
“We didn’t finish on both sides of the ball or in the kicking game,” head coach Brady Hoke said.