DEKALB — Gabe Plascencia kicked a 25-yard field goal as time expired to give San Diego State a 6-3 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday.
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 minute, 44 seconds remaining. Five Lucky Sutton rushes, a face-mask 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 converted 17 consecutive field-goal attempts, the second-best active streak in FBS behind BYU’s Will Ferrin. The senior has made 22 of 23 in his career.
Both team’s first drives, both over seven minutes, resulted in field goals, but then the game became a defensive struggle.
The Aztecs (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 the 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.
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