San Diego State Rolls Past Cal State Long Beach, 49-13

San Diego State scored 30 third-quarter points--including 23 in a 51-second span--for a season-opening 49-13 victory over Cal State Long Beach.

The 30 points tied a school record for third-quarter points, equaling a 1967 effort against Northern Illinois. The Aztec record for points in a quarter is 32, set in 1927 against Chapman College, then known as California Christian.

“The third quarter was as good as we can play for a quarter,” Aztec Coach Al Luginbill said. “If we ever put together four in a row, somebody is in trouble.”

A crowd of 26,749 saw the first season-opening victory for the Aztecs since 1986, when they beat Long Beach, 27-24.

Cree Morris, chosen to start at quarterback over David Lowery on Tuesday, survived a slow start and finished by completing 13 of 25 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. The 19-yard touchdown pass was caught by freshman Darnay Scott, and it was his first play in Division I football.

“I really thought our defense and special teams kept us in the ballgame when we weren’t doing anything right offensively,” Luginbill said. “I expected us to be slow coming out of the gate, but not that slow.” The Aztecs led at halftime by only 13-7.

The Aztecs took the second-half kickoff and went 58 yards in seven plays, T.C. Wright scoring on a four-yard dive. After a two-point conversion pass, the Aztecs were ahead, 21-7, with 11:43 left in the third quarter.

Then, it continued:

--On Long Beach’s first possession, Robert Griffith stripped the ball from receiver Mark Seay, and free safety Damon Pieri picked it up and went 27 yards for a touchdown. Andy Trakas missed his conversion kick after making 91 in a row. 27-7.

--On the ensuing kickoff, Seay fielded the ball in the end zone, tentatively started to return it, changed his mind and sank to a knee. Too late--the official ruled that he had crossed the goal-line. Safety. 29-7.

--After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called on Long Beach for protesting the safety, the 49ers kicked from their 5. Wright returned it 31 yards to the 49er 33. Two plays later, Curtis Butts went around right end for a five-yard touchdown run. 36-7.