San Diego State held on for a dramatic 21-20 victory over Cal Poly, moving to 3-1 in the California Conference.

The Aztecs and Mustangs battled each other throughout a physical Saturday evening game, and it was never a game that seemed to be in control by either team.

Cal Poly looked the stronger early, and took a 7-0 lead on a pick-and-go after some good work from the backs. SD State replied with a penalty from Brett Rameil, but Cal Poly then took the largest lead of the day - the Mustangs forwards powered through, but it was pressure defense that forced a bad pass through the back of the in-goal that set up a five-meter scrum, and ultimately a try from John Murphy.

Up 12-3, Cal Poly was unable to find much space for much of the game. The Aztecs clawed back with some big runs from prop Adehir Aguilera, and then scrumhalf Richie Parker sniped through a little hole on the edge of the ruck to touch down. Cal Poly still led 12-8.

As the game wore on, both sides bolstered their defensive efforts. Still SD State’s Johnny Abdulahad was able to score on a pick-and-jam for a 13-12 Aztec lead. Cal Poly surged back, forced SD State to be offside a couple of times, and fullback Mark Grzanich was good on the kick to get his side the lead again at 15-13.

The Aztecs got a penalty of their own, and Rameil was good of the kick and a 16-15 SD State lead.

After that kick the game was halted for a long period after SD State’s Johnathan Raby suffered a nasty arm injury - initial reports say a break. He was taken care of and taken to the hospital.

The game resumed after that, and right after the power-running Aguilar raced through a gap in midfield and went to the corner extending his side’s lead to 21-15.

So Cal Poly had one more shot. Off a box kick, Grzanich chased and after a couple of weird bounces got the ball and curved around under the posts. 21-20 with the kick to come.

Here’s where things got even more dramatic. Grzanich Set up the kick, stood there ready to go, and then backed up two more steps, looking for all the world as if he was beginning his move to the ball. The Aztec players rushed the kick, and Grzanich stopped moving. The Aztec chased knocked the ball away, and the referee whistled for no kick, and the score remained 21-20.

That’s how it ended. Certainly it was how the law is - once a kicked begins the move to the ball, chasers can come in and block the kick or prevent it from being taken. 

Cal Poly drops to 2-1 with one more game - against conference favorites St. Mary’s - left. San Diego State is done with conference games at 3-1, and has all but clinched 2nd.