After defensive struggle, SDSU’s Plascencia breaks tie as time expires for win

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator Dante Ulanday - News Moderator
Sep 27, 2025 - 21:08
After defensive struggle, SDSU’s Plascencia breaks tie as time expires for win
One football player tackles another during SDSU's 6-3 win over NIU.

San Diego State won two laughers in its first three games, and suffered a setback in between. They emerged victorious Saturday, but barely.

Gabe Plascencia kicked a 25-yard field goal as time expired to give SDSU a 6-3 win over Northern Illinois. Yes, you read that right.

Plascencia’s winning kick came after a strong rush resulted in a short punt by Northern Illinois (1-3) to the Aztecs 44 with 1:44 remaining.

Five Lucky Sutton rushes, a facemask penalty and an offsides after an NIU sub couldn’t get on the field on time set up Plascencia for the game-winner.

Plascencia has kicked 17 consecutive field goals, the second-best active streak in the FBS behind BYU’s Will Ferrin. The senior has made 22 of 23 in his career.

Both team’s first drives, over seven minutes each, resulted in field goals, but from that point on the game became a defensive struggle.

SDSU (3-1) outgained the Huskies 266-179 with NIU passing for just 57 yards. The teams combined to go 9 of 30 on third down and 2 of 5 on fourth. There were 13 punts.

Sutton rushed for 88 yards on 17 carries. Jayden Denegal was 13-of-20 passing for 110 yards.

Owen Chambliss had 11 tackles, seven solo, and Chris Johnson six solo to lead the Aztecs defense, which blanked Cal 34-0 last week and Stony Brook 42-0 in SDSU’s opener. In between came a 36-13 loss at Washington State.

Andrew Glass kicked a 31-yard field goal for NIU’s only points. Telly Johnson Jr. had 53 yards rushing on 16 carries. Quinn Urwiler had 16 tackles, 10 solo, and Filip Maciorowski 13 tackles, five solo.

Next up for SDSU is Colorado State, 1-2 going into Saturday’s action. The Aztecs host the Rams at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

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