SAN DIEGO, CA -- San Diego State forced three turnovers and held off a late Bobcat rally to defeat Ohio 20-13 Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium.
The Bobcats out-gained SDSU 380-309 overall despite losing the services of starting quarterback Kevin Rourke late in the second quarter. Last year's MAC Most Valuable Offensive Player, who missed the end of 2022 after suffering an ACL tear in Week 11, was deemed ready of Ohio's 2023 opener. He completed 8-of-10 passes for 75 yards with one touchdown during the period. However, he was sacked by an Aztecs blitz on the final play of the period and briefly remained down.
With the score tied 3-3, backup C.J. Harris replaced Rourke. However, his first pass was picked off by SDSU's Trey White at the Bobcats' 42. Ohio's defense stepped up to force a 38-yard field goal attempt, which missed.
Ohio took its only lead of the night on the subsequent drive, moving 40 yards to set up a 40-yard Gianni Spetic field goal with 4:44 remaining before intermission.
Another promising drive on Ohio's next possession ended after eight plays and 59 yards when San Diego State intercepted Harris again. There were just 44 seconds remaining as the Aztecs started a final drive from their own 29. Quarterback Jalen Mayden completed four passes (two to Mekhi Shaw for 22 yards each) to reach Ohio's 13-yard line. With time for one-more play, Mayden found Mark Redman over the middle. His 13-yard score and a PAT put the hosts up 10-6.
After a scoreless third quarter, San Diego State padded its lead with 10 straight points. Jack Brownings' 21 yard field goal at 13:32 made it a 13-6 game. Mayden hit Redman again at 5:39 with a four-yard strike to put SDSU up 20-6.
That almost became 27-6 when Marcus Ratcliff appeared to pick off another Harris pass, returning it 100 yards for a TD. However, a roughing-the-passer penalty brought it back, and Harris then hit Miles Cross for a three-yard score with 1:34 remaining.
Now trailing 20-13, Ohio's defense stopped SDSU on downs at the Bobcats 39. After picking up two first downs, Ohio was still 33 yards out with time running out when New Zealand Williams picked off a final pass to end the threat.
NOTES:
>> Ohio's Harris finished the day completing 18-of-42 attempts totaling 203 yards with one TD and three interceptions. Mayden, meanwhile, completed 17-of-27 for the Aztecs. That produced 164 yards and two TDs.
>> Sieh Bangura led Ohio rushers with 15 carries for 65 yards. Sam Wiglusz paced receivers with 10 catches totaling 103 yards.
>> Bryce Houston led all defenders with 13 tackles (7 solo, 1.5 sacks)