San Diego State Beats CS Long Beach, 27-24

While San Diego State began a new era under Coach Denny Stolz Saturday night, Cal State Long Beach’s woes of old continued.

The 49ers, who lost by two points on three occasions last season, dropped another heartbreaker, losing to San Diego State, 27-24, on a 38-yard pass from Todd Santos to Alfred Jackson with 10:08 remaining.

It spoiled the debut of 49er sophomore quarterback Jeff Graham, who completed 24 of 53 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

Graham was matched against Santos, a junior starting for the third consecutive year. Santos completed 24 of 37 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns and was intercepted twice.

Long Beach dominated at the outset, taking a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The 49ers scored on a 31-yard screen pass from Graham to Michael Roberts 5:45 into the game.

Long Beach drove 87 yards for its second touchdown, scoring on Graham’s 18-yard pass to Charles Lockett. The 49ers converted three successive third-down plays, including a 34-yard pass from Graham to Tyrone McCulloch on a third-and-16 at the Long Beach 17.

Things appeared to get worse for San Diego State when Jeryl Williams slipped at the five-yard line while fielding the ensuing kickoff. However, the Aztecs drove 95 yards in nine plays for their first touchdown, which came on a 29-yard pass from Santos to Anthony Conyers.

The teams then traded field goals. Eric Weetman kicked a 29-yarder for Long Beach and Kevin Rahill a 39-yarder for San Diego, and the 49ers led, 17-10.

With 1:15 remaining in the half, the Aztecs began a game-tying drive from their 46.

On a second-and-15 at the Long Beach 46, Santos completed a 26-yard pass to Conyers. Ronald Frost was assessed a five-yard face-mask penalty after tackling Conyers, placing the ball at the 15.

On the next play, Kenny Moore tied the game with a diving catch of Santos’ pass.

In the first series of the second half, Randy Kirk of San Diego State made a key interception and return. He caught the ball at Long Beach’s 43, broke three tackles at the 30 and finally was stopped at the 23.

Corey Gilmore rushed 15 yards the next play, but the Aztec drive stalled and they settled for Rahill’s 26-yard field goal, taking a 20-17 lead.

The lead was short-lived. On the Aztecs’ next possession, Long Beach’s Ron Knight returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown and the 49ers were back on top, 24-20.

Williams fumbled away the ensuing kickoff to Lane McCarthy at the Aztec 29. But Graham threw three incomplete passes and Weetman was wide left on a 47-yard field goal attempt.

The Aztecs let another opportunity slip away late in the third quarter. They drove to Long Beach’s 34, only to commit their fourth turnover when Gilmore’s fumble was recovered by Roger Beavers.

The Aztecs winning score came at 4:52 into the fourth quarter. It was the first career reception for Jackson, a converted defensive back.