SAN DIEGO — If last week showed how far Colorado State has to go to catch the Mountain West Conference elite in Utah, Saturday demonstrated how precariously close the Rams are to the league’s worst in San Diego State.
CSU needed an interception from Jake Galusha with 2:06 left to cling to a 38-34 decision over the Aztecs at sparsely attended (announced crowd 17,185) Qualcomm Stadium. It was the only turnover of the game.
“Anyone in this conference can beat anyone,” Galusha said.
The Rams (4-4, 2-3 MWC) needed all the offense they could muster, including three touchdown catches by Kory Sperry and three key Dion Morton end-around plays, to beat one of the weakest defenses in the nation.
San Diego State, which fell to 1-7, 0-4, found a 226-yard rushing effort where none previously existed.
“It was close but we came out on the good end of it,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said. “We functioned a little better in the passing game. We were a little more efficient offense. The defense hung in, and we gave up a little more than we’d like to.”
Morton’s second end-around of the night gave the Rams their first lead, 31-24, with 2:16 left in the third quarter. He rescued the drive with a 25-yard run to get the Rams across midfield.
“It was pretty exciting,” Morton said. “With Gartrell Johnson running the ball hard (26 times for 130 yards), it made it easier for me.”
The Rams didn’t stay in front for long. The Aztecs responded quickly — Atiyyah Henderson had to break only one tackle before hitting the corner to burst up the sideline for a 72-yard scoring dash and a 31-all tie.
It was the longest run by an Aztec since 1999.
CSU’s answering score was delayed only by video replay showing Sperry was indeed inbounds when he came down with a 9-yard Billy Farris pass. Sperry’s third touchdown of the night, tying his career best, restored the lead for CSU with 14:56 left in the game.
“I knew I had it in my hands, and I knew one foot was inbounds,” Sperry said.
Morton said he “had no doubt in my mind. We were counting on the referees, whether they were going to call it right or not.”
The Aztecs used a 15-play drive that ended on a 33-yard Lane Yoshida field goal with 7:09 remaining to get three points closer. CSU was forced to punt, with San Diego State taking over with 3:38 remaining.
A sluggish first half for both sides erupted in a track meet to start the second half. Farris connected with Rashaun Greer for a 48-yard gain on the first play. Morton finished off the five-play drive with a 12-yard end- around, tying the score 17-17.
CSU’s celebration was brief. San Diego State returner Davion Mauldin was nearly stopped twice at about his 20, reversed direction and outraced everyone for a 93-yard kickoff return.
It was the second kickoff returned for a touchdown against the Rams this season, in addition to a punt return for a score.
But the Rams shook it off with an eight-play drive as Farris again connected with Sperry. The 6-yard pass and Jason Smith’s kick tied the game 24-all midway through the third quarter.
After the Rams lost by a combined 62-23 to the Mountain West’s unbeaten leaders, TCU and Utah, San Diego State loomed as a welcome reprieve on the schedule.
Yet San Diego refused to roll over. The Aztecs, who came into the game ranked last nationally in rushing offense — averaging 50 yards a game — managed 106 yards on the ground before halftime.
Henderson, replacing leading rusher Brandon Sullivan, who was attended a funeral, gained 65 yards in the first half.
For the first time in four games, the Rams had to punt on their opening possession. San Diego State was about to repeat a three-and-out on its second drive, when punter Brian Stahovich faked from midfield and ran 21 yards for the first down.
Thanks to a late-hit penalty, the Aztecs needed 10 more plays before Henderson went up and over from the 1 to take a 7-0 lead.
An exchange of 43-yard field goals followed. CSU finally tied it when Farris found a wide-open Sperry in the end zone from 20 yards out with 7:36 left in the first half.
Again, San Diego State had an answer, with Lindley hitting Vincent Brown for a 19-yard score and 17-10 advantage with 2:10 to go before halftime.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
Key stat
Turnaround: San Diego State, which came into the game last in the NCAA in rushing offense at 50 yards a game, rushed for 226 yards, including the school’s longest run (72 yards, Atiyyah Henderson) since 1999.
Key play
Kory Sperry’s 9-yard TD from Billy Farris had to face instant-replay review to prove Sperry’s foot was in the end zone before it was called official for CSU’s final go-ahead score four seconds into the final quarter. As soon as he didn’t see a TD signal, Sperry rushed to coach Steve Fairchild to tell him to challenge the play for a replay ruling.
