Three thoughts after San Diego State’s 41-20 loss to Utah State on Saturday afternoon at Maverik Stadium.
1. Historically slow starts
Slow starts have plagued SDSU’s “AztecFAST” offense. The Aztecs have not scored on their opening drive in any of their 11 games this season.
Only three times have they had a drive of more than five plays. The shortest possession was two weeks ago, when quarterback Danny O’Neil was intercepted on the second play.
Only twice have they had a drive of more than 20 yards. Both of those possessions ended with the ball turned over on downs following failed fourth-down plays.
Advertisement
Eight possessions ended with punts. Average drive: five plays, 16 yards.
The opening-drive drought looked like it was going to end against the Aggies. SDSU reached the red zone in four plays. O’Neil, who has been slowed by a knee injury most of the season, made the biggest play with his legs. A 34-yard rush up the middle marks his longest carry of the season.
There was something else unusual about the drive — it included three passes to tight end Mikey Harrison, who had not been targeted that many times in eight of 10 games, let alone one drive, this season.
SDSU had a first-and-goal at the 10-yard line, then moved back 10 yards because of a holding penalty. Two passes advanced the ball to the 2-yard line. Running back Marquez Cooper got one yard on third-and-2. On fourth down, O’Neil threw a screen pass to Harrison that lost three yards.
And the Aztecs came up empty. Again.
Advertisement
“(O’Neil) got us off to a good start,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said. “Obviously, we didn’t finish down there at the goal line. Again, that’s been an Achilles’ heel for us, to be able to punch the ball in in those short-yardage situations.
“We’ve got to do a better job there as we continue to move forward.”
Saturday night’s game against Air Force represents the last chance for the Aztecs to score on their first possession. In an online search dating back 25 years, SDSU never went an entire season without scoring on its opening drive.
2. Flags flying
The Aztecs are a game away from being the most penalized team in the nation, a distinction they currently share with Mountain West peer New Mexico.
Both schools have been whistled for 103 penalties, an average of 9.4 per game.
Advertisement
It all began with 16 infractions in the season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce. There have been eight or nine penalties in five games this season, with SDSU avoiding double digits since making 12 penalties in Week 3 at Cal.
Then came another dozen at Utah State. Included were five false starts, something that usually works itself out well before this stage of the season.
“A majority of them were on the offensive line, where we’ve been banged up,” Lewis said of a unit where half a dozen players have been hobbled. “There’s a lot of people there playing in different spots as we’re rolling through it. So, again, there’s got to be continuity, there’s got to be consistency within that group up front, so that you can have confidence that you can play together.
“When there’s any sort of doubt … it leads to hesitation. When you’re playing hesitant and you’re not playing confident, you’re not tied together.”
It was the fourth time this season SDSU has been penalized more than 100 yards in a game. UTSA (945 penalty yards) is the only team in the country with more penalty yards than the Aztecs (933).
Advertisement
3. ‘We aren’t doing our jobs’
Cooper was in no mood to celebrate after the game, despite becoming the 23rd player in NCAA history to go over 5,000 career rushing yards.
The Aztecs squandering a 13-point lead and allowing 41 unanswered points had something to do with that.
“I can’t be jumping with joy because we just got whooped,” Cooper said after the game.
With less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Utah State was being being shut out. Somehow, the Aggies had a 14-13 lead at halftime. They added four more TDs after intermission to win convincingly.
What changed?
Advertisement
“They didn’t do anything differently, honestly,” said Cooper, adding, “Guys got to do their jobs. We aren’t doing our jobs. That’s been the case all season long. The coaches tell us something, and we’ll do the opposite thing. That’s unfortunate. It isn’t the coaches’ fault. It’s 100 percent on the players. We’ve got to do our job.”
Shares of Gossamer Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:GOSS) have received a consensus ‘Hold’ rating from the 10 research firms currently covering the company, according to a report from MarketBeat. The average 12-month price target among analysts is $5.43.
Why it matters
Gossamer Bio is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing therapies for immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases, as well as oncology. The ‘Hold’ rating and mixed analyst views could impact investor sentiment and the company’s ability to raise capital for further drug development.
The details
The analyst ratings for Gossamer Bio include two ‘Sell’ recommendations, four ‘Hold’ ratings, and four ‘Buy’ recommendations. Some firms have lowered their price targets on the stock, with HC Wainwright decreasing its target from $10 to $5.
Advertisement
Gossamer Bio released its latest quarterly earnings report on March 17, 2026.
The players
Gossamer Bio, Inc.
A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Diego, California that is focused on developing oral, once-daily therapies for immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases, as well as oncology.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
The takeaway
The mixed analyst views on Gossamer Bio highlight the challenges facing the company as it seeks to advance its pipeline of drug candidates through clinical trials and regulatory approvals. The ‘Hold’ rating could make it more difficult for the company to raise capital and fund its operations.
Oceanside Harbor Beach. (File photo courtesy of @CityofOceanside via X)
A man apparent drowned in the waters near the Oceanside Pier Saturday morning, despite efforts by lifeguards and paramedics to revive him.
The Oceanside Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division and the Oceanside Police Department responded to a report of a missing man at about 4:30 a.m.. Officials said the man was last seen swimming in the ocean about a half-hour earlier.
Lifeguards and police immediately initiated a coordinated search effort using pier vantage points, surveillance cameras and watercraft, but the search was suspended at approximately 5:30 a.m. after no one was found, fire officials said.
“At approximately 10:50 a.m., lifeguards discovered an unresponsive adult male, matching the earlier description, in the water near Lifeguard Tower 12, at Oceanside Harbor Beach,” Division Chief Blake Dorse said in a statement. “The individual was removed from the water, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately initiated.”
Advertisement
Fire and rescue personnel continued efforts to resuscitate the man on the way to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He is believed to be the one who was reported missing near the pier.
Authorities did not release the man’s name.
“The Oceanside Lifeguard Division reminds the public to exercise caution when entering the ocean, especially during early morning hours or when lifeguards are not actively monitoring the water,” Dorse said. “Always swim near an open lifeguard tower and avoid entering the water alone.”
A decade of unforgettable meals calls for a proper celebration. This April, Herb & Wood marks its 10-year anniversary, honoring ten years of shaping San Diego’s culinary identity from its stylish home in Little Italy.
Since opening in 2016, the restaurant has played a defining role in modern San Diego dining, ushering in a more ingredient-driven, chef-forward era while setting the standard for design, hospitality, and overall experience.
A Month of Throwback Favorites and Celebratory Surprises
To commemorate the milestone, Herb & Wood is celebrating all month long by bringing back a selection of OG favorites alongside the signature dishes that have remained staples over the years.
Order from the anniversary lineup and receive a scratcher ticket for a chance to win prizes like a whole Jamón Ibérico ham leg, a custom Johnny Lane painting, and a coveted “lifetime” branzino card. It’s a fun and fitting way to toast one of San Diego’s most influential restaurants.
Advertisement
A Collaborative Anniversary Dinner
The celebration concludes with a special four-course anniversary dinner featuring standout chefs from the Puffer Malarkey Collective. Brian Malarkey, Aidan Owens, Tara Monsod, and Kylie Cablayan will come together for an unforgettable evening that highlights their creativity and culinary artistry.
The celebratory menu includes:
Course One
Parker House Rolls with honey herb butter
Oyster & Beef Tartare with smoked oyster mayo, caramelized onion, and beef fat snow
Course Two
Lechon Kawali with grilled strawberries, pickled mustard seeds, pickled Tokyo negi, mustard frill, and strawberry sarsa
Course Three
Woodfired Tenderloin & Charred Prawns with garlic and chili, fennel oil, celery root, and whipped tallow butter
Course Four
Funfetti Cake with blueberry jam, lemon curd, and Swiss meringue buttercream
This one-night-only collaboration is a delicious tribute to Herb & Wood’s legacy and a memorable way to toast ten remarkable years in Little Italy.
A Defining Force in San Diego Dining
Over the past decade, Herb & Wood has become a cornerstone of Little Italy’s vibrant dining scene. Known for its warm ambiance and thoughtfully crafted menu, it continues to set the tone for modern dining in San Diego.
Whether revisiting longtime favorites or discovering something new, this anniversary celebration is the perfect excuse to gather around the table and raise a glass to ten remarkable years.
See you there!
We’ll be celebrating in Little Italy with throwback bites, celebratory pours, and plenty of toasts to ten iconic years at Herb & Wood.
Advertisement
📆 April 3 – 29, 2026 | Culmination celebration April 30 📍 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego 🎟️ Book your table here ℹ️ Click here for updates
