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San Diego State football loses another quarterback, drops wild New Mexico Bowl to North Texas

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San Diego State football loses another quarterback, drops wild New Mexico Bowl to North Texas


Another quarterback injury and the inability to stop the nation’s No. 1 offense were too much for the San Diego State Aztecs, who lost 49-47 to No. 23 North Texas in a wild Isleta New Mexico Bowl on Saturday in Albuquerque.

The Aztecs (9-4) knew it was going to be tough to beat the Mean Green (12-2) without star cornerback Chris Johnson, who sat out with a foot injury, and quarterback Jayden Denegal, who had surgery on his non-throwing left shoulder on Dec. 17.

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And just when backup quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. was making things interesting with a big performance in his first start with the Aztecs, he injured his non-throwing left shoulder diving for the pylon in the second quarter and was knocked out of the game. 

Third-stringer Kyle Crum came on and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Ford to pull the Aztecs to 28-20 with 4:36 before halftime. Crum hadn’t thrown a pass since 2022 and appeared in only one game this season.

The Aztecs twice made it a one-score game but were rebuffed in their attempt to win at least 10 games for the first time since going 12-2 in 2021.

North Texas, led by gunslinger Drew Mestemaker, came in leading the nation in both scoring offense and total offense, and piled up 618 yards to SDSU’s 532.

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SDSU trailed the entire game. The Aztecs made it close with Crum’s 1-yard touchdown run with one second left.

The big picture

Despite the loss, the Aztecs still had a huge turnaround in coach Sean Lewis’ second season. They improved by six wins over Lewis’ first team, which lost its last six games to finish 3-9 overall and 2-5 in the Mountain West. 

This version of the Aztecs were in contention to host the MW championship game up until the final regular-season game, when they lost 23-17 in double overtime to New Mexico. That loss, plus the computer rankings used to break a four-way tie at 6-2 atop the league standings, knocked the Aztecs completely out of the championship picture and consigned them to the New Mexico Bowl, played on the same field where they lost to the Lobos on Nov. 28.

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But it appears that Lewis has established the culture needed to make the Aztecs consistent winners and bowl participants. This was their first bowl in three seasons but its 13th in 15 chances since 2010 (the Aztecs withdrew from consideration after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season).

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The Aztecs were representing the MW for the final time. They officially move into the new-look Pac-12 on July 1.

What happened 

Johnson, named to six All-America teams, didn’t play because of a foot injury and the other starting cornerback, Bryce Phillips, opted out to prepare for the NFL draft.

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North Texas running back Caleb Hawkins scored the first of his two rushing touchdowns on the game’s first drive. He finished with three touchdowns overall and 184 yards rushing. 

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Denegal put a charge into SDSU’s offense with touchdown runs of 8 and 72 yards, and piled up 170 yards on 11 carries before getting hurt.

Crum added an 11-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter and Nathan Acevedo had a 63-yard punt return to pull to 42-34.

Mestemaker threw his third TD pass before the Aztecs closed to 49-40 on Christian Washington’s 11-yard TD run with 4 ½ minutes left. The conversion attempt failed. 

What’s next

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The 15-day January transfer portal that opens on Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16. It’s not immediately known which Aztecs might transfer, but a number of players have already committed to return for 2026, including star running back Lucky Sutton. 

MORE SAN DIEGO STATE NEWS & ANALYSIS



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San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

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Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight


On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

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“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.



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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance


UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

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The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

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Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

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The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.





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