By Daeshon Joyce

Coming off a record-breaking win versus Wagner, the Dukes head west for their first road game of the season. JMU will face San Diego State at Snapdragon Stadium in the first meeting between the programs.

How To Watch

TV: CW

Kickoff time: 10 p.m. ET on Saturday

Location: Snapdragon Stadium — San Diego, California

Weather: The Dukes and Aztecs are slated to have a beautiful day to play football, with the skies being clear for a change. The day’s high is 78, with kickoff temperatures around 75.

San Diego State Overview

San Diego State enters the matchup after opening the season 1-1. The Aztecs opened with a 53-20 win over Portland State before falling 28-10 to UCLA this past Saturday. This will be JMU’s first trip to California for a football game and the first meeting between the Dukes and Aztecs.

Record: 1-1 (0-0 Pac-12)

Coach: Sean Lewis: Lewis enters his third season as San Diego State’s head coach after taking over the program in 2024. He previously spent five seasons as the head coach at Kent State, going 24-31 from 2018-22. Lewis also served as Colorado’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2023. At San Diego State, Lewis has posted a 13-14 record, including a 9-4 mark in 2025 after the Aztecs improved by six wins from his first season. Overall, Lewis is 37-45 as an FBS head coach. He now leads San Diego State into its first season in the Pac-12.

Conference: Pac-12: San Diego State enters a new era in 2026 as one of the newest members of the reimagined Pac-12. The Aztecs are beginning their first season in the conference after competing previously in the Mountain West.

Key Players to Watch

Jayden Denegal, QB: The former Michigan quarterback gives San Diego State an experienced option under center. Denegal opened the season with 137 passing yards and two touchdowns against Portland State, but struggled against UCLA, completing just 6 of 17 passes for 45 yards, one touchdown and one interception. JMU will look to pressure Denegal and force him into another difficult passing performance.

Lucky Sutton, RB: Sutton is one of the biggest problems JMU will have to solve. The preseason All-Pac-12 selection rushed for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025. He opened this season with three rushing touchdowns against Portland State and followed that with 81 yards on 19 carries against UCLA. JMU will need to limit Sutton’s production and prevent him from controlling the game on the ground.

Justius Lowe, WR: Lowe gives San Diego State a big-play threat on the outside. The Oregon transfer caught two passes for 56 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Portland State, averaging 28 yards per reception. He’ll look to make an impact against JMU after being held without a catch against UCLA.

Tano Letuli, LB: A veteran leader in the middle of the Aztecs’ defense, Letuli was one of San Diego State’s most active defenders against UCLA. He recorded eight tackles, including five solo stops, and helped the Aztecs hold the Bruins scoreless in the first half. Letuli also recorded 30 tackles in just six games last season before an injury ended his year.

Sione Hala, LB: Hala has quickly established himself as another key piece of San Diego State’s defense. He led the Aztecs with 10 tackles in the season opener against Portland State and followed that with eight tackles against UCLA. Hala and Letuli combined for 16 tackles against the Bruins and will be important in trying to slow down JMU’s rushing attack.

Brady Nassar, EDGE: Nassar is one of the Aztecs’ most experienced returning defensive linemen and is expected to provide pressure off the edge. He recorded 15 tackles in 13 games last season and had a quarterback hurry in San Diego State’s opener against Portland State. Nassar was held without a tackle against UCLA but did record another quarterback hurry, making his ability to pressure JMU’s quarterback a key matchup to watch.

Keys to the Game

Stop Lucky Sutton and the run game

JMU cannot let San Diego State establish the run early. Sutton already showed how dangerous he can be in the opener, and forcing the Aztecs into obvious passing situations would give Robert Bala’s defense a better chance to control the game.

Win the line of scrimmage

This is the first road test of the Billy Napier era, and JMU’s offensive and defensive lines will be tested against an FBS opponent on the West Coast. The Dukes need to create movement up front and avoid allowing the Aztecs to control the tempo.

Start fast despite the cross-country trip

JMU will have to handle the travel, the time-zone change and the late kickoff. A slow start could allow San Diego State to build confidence at home. The Dukes need to play clean football early and avoid giving the Aztecs short fields.

Make explosive plays on offense

The opportunity for JMU’s offense is on the other side of the ball. San Diego State’s defense is expected to look different from last year’s unit, and the Dukes need to take advantage with explosive runs and passes when the opportunities are there.

Score prediction

If the Dukes can start fast and limit wasted drives, they should be just fine out in California. 

JMU 35 SDSU 24

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications