Matt Araiza
FILE - San Diego State defensive lineman Keshawn Banks (2) celebrates during an NCAA football game against Utah, Sept. 18, 2021, in Carson, Calif. SDSU is coming off a school-record 12-2 season and No. 25 finish in The AP Top 25. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)
Aztecs finally get a home-field advantage in Mountain West

By Bernie Wilson Aug. 25, 2022 05:52 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer during the third round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Howell, Ross, "Punt God" still available on Day 3 of draft

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 30, 2022 02:49 AM EDT

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

San Diego State coach Brady Hoke walks along the sideline during the first half of the team's Frisco Bowl NCAA college football game against UTSA, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Johnson, San Diego St. beat No. 24 UTSA 38-24 in Frisco Bowl

Dec. 21, 2021 11:21 PM EST

FILE - UTSA running back Sincere McCormick (3) runs past Southern Mississippi linebacker Hayes Maples (32) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in San Antonio. UTSA plays against San Diego State in the Frisco Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
UTSA seeks 1st-ever bowl win vs. San Diego State in Frisco

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2021 02:25 PM EST

UTSA running back Sincere McCormick (3) leaps through the hands of Western Kentucky defensive back Miguel Edwards (13) for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Conference USA championship Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Column: Bowl season back to normal, why to watch them all

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 14, 2021 12:52 PM EST

Iowa State running back Breece Hall (28) carries the ball up field during the first half an NCAA college football game against TCU, Nov. 26, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
2021 AP All-America Team, List

Dec. 13, 2021 12:13 PM EST

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, file)
AP All-America team: Young and Tide lead with 3 1st teamers

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 13, 2021 12:02 PM EST

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson celebrates with the trophy after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. Michigan won 42-3. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
QB Bryce Young of Alabama voted AP Player of the Year

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 09, 2021 12:01 PM EST

San Diego State running back Kaegun Williams (26) jumps over Utah State defenders during an NCAA college football game for the Mountain West Conference Championship, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Utah St routs No. 19 San Diego St 46-13, wins Mountain West

By Greg Beacham Dec. 04, 2021 06:52 PM EST

FILE - San Diego State's Matt Araiza (2) celebrates his field goal against San Jose State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. Araiza is unquestionably the best player for the No. 19 Aztecs, who will host Utah State in the Mountain West Conference championship game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at their temporary home in Carson, a Los Angeles suburb. Using his powerful left leg, the junior from San Diego is able to completely flip the field for SDSU, which has a strong defense but often struggles on offense. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
No. 19 SDSU, Utah State meet in Carson for MWC championship

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2021 04:51 PM EST

FILE - Utah State quarterback Logan Bonner throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State on Sept. 4, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. The No. 19 San Diego State Aztecs have called the Los Angeles suburbs their home for two seasons while they're building a new stadium in Mission Valley. They'll host Utah State in the Mountain West Conference championship game Saturday in Carson. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Carson, ho! No. 19 SDSU hosts Utah State in MWC title game

By Bernie Wilson Dec. 02, 2021 03:12 PM EST

FILE - San Diego State place kicker Matt Araiza (2) plays during an NCAA football game against Utah in Carson, Calif., Saturday Sept. 18, 2021. Araiza is unquestionably the best player for the No. 19 Aztecs, who will host Utah State in the Mountain West Conference championship game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at their temporary home in Carson, a Los Angeles suburb. Using his powerful left leg, the junior from San Diego is able to completely flip the field for SDSU, which has a strong defense but often struggles on offense. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)
Araiza's booming punts carry No. 19 Aztecs to MWC title tilt

By Bernie Wilson Dec. 01, 2021 06:19 PM EST

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, left, tries to avoid a sack by Michigan defensive end TJ Guy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 59-18. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Rutgers to host Maryland with a bowl berth on the line

By Tom Canavan Nov. 26, 2021 04:36 PM EST

Boise State cornerback Kaonohi Kaniho (14) breaks up a pass to San Diego State wide receiver Jesse Matthews (45) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Carson, Calif., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
No. 22 San Diego State rallies past Boise State 27-16

By Greg Beacham Nov. 26, 2021 03:50 PM EST

San Diego State coach Brady Hoke watches during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against UNLV on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)
No. 22 SDSU, Boise State get early wake-up call for big game

By Bernie Wilson Nov. 25, 2021 04:09 PM EST

San Diego State place kicker Matt Araiza watches his field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nevada, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boise State, No. 22 SDSU meet with division titles at stake

By The Associated Press Nov. 25, 2021 03:45 PM EST

FILE - Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy takes the field for the team's NCAA college football game against Kansas on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. Oklahoma State plays against Texas Tech on Saturday, Nov. 20. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt, File)
Week 13: Rivalries, championship hopes, CFP implications

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 24, 2021 12:41 PM EST

UNLV running back Charles Williams (8) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Hawaii during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Too much at stake for No. 23 Aztecs to underestimate UNLV

Nov. 18, 2021 05:10 PM EST

As San Diego State place kicker Jack Browning (13) holds the ball, place kicker Matt Araiza (2) makes a field goal against Hawaii during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
No. 23 SDSU looks to stay on track for MWC championship game

By The Associated Press Nov. 18, 2021 02:18 PM EST