O’Connell leads Aztecs to first win

Kevin O’Connell threw a career-high four touchdown passes as San Diego State won its first game of the season, a 52-21 decision over San Jose State on Saturday in San Diego.

O’Connell, a sophomore, completed 23 of 29 passes for a career-best 271 yards as the Aztecs (1-3) rebounded from last week’s 27-6 loss at No. 8 Ohio State.

Robert Ortiz caught first-half TD passes of 25 and 18 yards as San Diego State took a 28-14 halftime lead over the Spartans (1-2).

San Diego State, which avoided losing its first four games of the season for the second time in four years, had 301 yards of offense in the first half. O’Connell was 16 for 20 passing in the first half for 213 yards.

The Aztecs finished with 513 yards of total offense.

Patrick Perry scored for San Jose State on runs of 7 and 2 yards, both in the first quarter, and Chad Bozzo hit Rufus Skillern with a 27-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth period.

Utah State 31, UNLV 24

Leon Jackson III threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns, the final a 15-yarder in the fourth quarter as the Aggies (1-1) beat the Rebels (1-3) in Logan, Utah.

Tony Pennyman had 97 yards receiving, including a 12-yard touchdown catch, on a career-high 10 receptions for the Aggies. Pennyman also returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown.

Shane Steichen was 25 of 43 for 265 yards and two touchdowns for UNLV.

Colorado St. 42, Nevada 21

Kyle Bell rushed for a career-high 183 yards and his first career touchdown to propel the Rams (1-2) past the Wolf Pack (1-2) in Fort Collins, Colo.

Bell had more yards – 87 – in the first quarter than he had in the Rams’ first two games combined.

The Rams scored TDs on their first three possessions for an early 21-0 lead. They finished with 257 yards on the ground.