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Source: goaztecs.com
Video courtesy goaztecs.com
October 6, 2019 (Fort Collins, Colo.) - San Diego State forced four turnovers, including three interceptions by Luq Barcoo and and used an efficient game by quarterback Ryan Agnew in a 24-10 win over Colorado State Saturday night in Fort Collins, Colo.
Amazingly, Barcoo's three interceptions came on three straight Ram (1-5, 0-2 MW) offensive snaps. He became the first player in FBS play since at least 2012 to record an interception in three straight plays. The three interceptions were also the most by an Aztec (4-1, 1-1 MW) since current Atlanta Falcon Damontae Kazee had three vs. San Diego on Sept. 5, 2015.
SDSU limited the high-powered CSU offense, which came into the weekend averaging 501 yards per game, to just 235 yards of total offense, including only 18 yards on the ground. The 235 yards were Colorado State's fewest in a game since gaining 225 vs. Colorado on Sept. 2, 2016, while the 18 yards were the fewest in a game since recording 12 vs. No. 23 Utah on Dec. 20, 2014. The 18 yards were also the Rams' fewest gained on the ground against an unranked team since gaining one yard vs. Miami (OH) on Sept. 18, 2010.
Agnew, meanwhile, was 16-for-20 for 147 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. He set career highs in completion percentage (80.0) and pass efficiency rating (191.24), and tied a career best with three touchdown passes. The game marked just the eighth time this decade that a San Diego State quarterback had thrown at least three touchdowns in a game without an interception.
Agnew's most targeted receiver was Kobe Smith. Smith finished with seven catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first Aztec with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since Ezell Ruffin did it three straight games in 2013.
SDSU jumped out to an early lead thanks to a pair of long passes by Agnew to Smith. San Diego State opened the game with a 42-yard pass and Agnew later found Smith for a 18-yard gain. The Aztecs, however, stalled inside the CSU 10 and were forced to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Matt Araiza.
Colorado State tied it later in the first quarter on a 36-yard field goal by Cayden Camper.
SDSU regained its lead on its first drive of the second quarter when Agnew found Smith for a 7-yard touchdown strike.
After exchanging punts, the Rams later put together the longest drive of the game in terms of minutes, going 95 yards on 17 plays, covering 7 minutes, 36 seconds. With a second-and-goal from the San Diego State 1, the Aztec defense stood tall, stopping CSU on three straight rushing attempts to keep its 10-3 lead.
In the first play of the third quarter, SDSU's Kyahva Tenzino burst through the line and stuffed Colorado State running back Marvin Kinsey Jr. for a 5-yard loss, dislodging the ball in the process. Dwayne Johnson Jr. quickly pounced on the loose ball, setting up the San Diego State offense on the Ram 11-yard line. Three players later Agnew found Smith in the corner of the end zone to put the Aztecs on top 17-3.
Late in the third quarter, CSU quarterback Patrick O'Brien was picked off by Barcoo. Justice McCoy replaced O'Brien on Colorado State's next drive, but Barcoo was able to outjump Nikko Hall for his second interception of the game.
The Aztecs took advantage of the turnover with a 5-play, 39-yard drive, culminating with a 3-yard pass from Agnew to Juwan Washington to make it 24-3, SDSU.
On the Rams' ensuing drive, McCoy was picked off for a second time by Barcoo, making it three straight snaps that Barcoo intercepted CSU quarterbacks.
Late in the fourth quarter, Colorado State used three quick passes by O'Brien for 74 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown by O'Brien to Nate Craig-Myers to close the gap to 24-10.
It appeared San Diego State's Washington scored on a third-and-goal from the 5, but the senior returning for the first time since Sept. 7 at UCLA was ruled down on the Ram 1. Washington was then stopped on the fourth-down try, making the final score 24-10.
Tezino had a season-high 13 tackles to lead the Aztec defense, including an 11-yard sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Barco added six tackles (four solo), three interceptions and a pass breakup.
SDSU has won its first three road games for just the second time since the start of the 2016 campaign.
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