The San Diego State Aztecs have settled on redshirt freshman Stone Saunders at quarterback, for the time being, and now must focus on the daunting task of winning three of their last four games to become bowl eligible for the second time in as many seasons.

That pursuit starts Saturday afternoon when the Aztecs (3-5, 2-2 Pac-12) welcome the staggering Washington State Cougars (1-7, 0-4) to Snapdragon Stadium.

The Aztecs are only 2.5-point favorites coming off a wild 56-49 loss at Colorado State that proved that no team should be taken lightly. The Rams had been blown out in four straight games before quarterback Hauss Hejny returned from a hamstring injury and shredded the Aztecs’ defense for 418 yards total offense and five total touchdowns, three of them passing.

Saunders had an impressive first collegiate start, throwing for 369 yards and three scores. But he was picked off twice, including one returned for a touchdown.

Coach Sean Lewis said on Monday that Saunders will start against the Cougs.…