Aztecs Can’t Stop the Run, 27-18

Calvin Branch ran for a career-high 196 yards and two touchdowns as Colorado State negated a 35 mph wind with a strong ground attack to defeat San Diego State, 27-18, in a Western Athletic Conference game Saturday.

Damon Washington added 152 yards rushing for the Rams, 5-4 overall and 4-1 in the WAC.

Colorado State finished with 351 yards on the ground and became the first team to hold San Diego State (4-2, 2-1) to less than 37 points in six games this season.

George Jones, who ran for 187 yards and five touchdowns last week, gained 126 yards for San Diego State but was not on the field long enough to be a bigger factor as Colorado State dominated time of possession, 40:45 to 19:15.

After Jones’ two-yard run tied the game, 10-10, 2:50 into the second half, Colorado State kept the Aztecs’ offense off the field for the next 8:27 with a 15-play, 87-yard drive that included 13 rushing plays.

Branch ended the drive with a three-yard touchdown run to make it 17-10, and the Rams stopped Jones on three consecutive plays to get the ball back less than two minutes later.

Colorado State then went 70 yards to lead, 24-10, after Branch’s one-yard run.