Aztecs Needed a Win. They Got It!

If you appreciate toughness, resilience and determination in a football team, you have to love our Aztecs’ 34-30 win over San Jose State last night.

Actually, it’s more than last night. The Aztecs, on the road, have come from behind in the fourth quarter to win three games – two with double-digit deficits.

Last night was the biggest challenge, the toughest opponent: one that needed a bowl-eligible win. And played before a surprisingly large and rabid crowd led by the return of Crazy George.

After almost everything going wrong that could go wrong, the Aztecs were trailing 23-12 at the start of the fourth quarter. While giving up one fourth quarter TD, the Aztecs scored 22 points – including a two-point conversion – to win the game.

Here are some of the key plays that produced this come-from-behind victory:

- Damontae Kazee blocked a fourth quarter FG attempt. Nat Berhe picked up the loose ball and returned it to the Spartan 34.

Damontae Kazee blocks a Spartan FG attempt; Nat Berhe returns it to the SJSU 34 (photos by Ernie Anderson)

- On the Aztecs’ first play after the block and return, DJ Pumphrey scored on a 34-yard TD, outrunning 4 Spartans down the left sideline.

DJ Pumphrey and Adam Muema combined for 191 rushing yards and 3 TDs (photos by Ernie Anderson)

- Adam Muema’s 113 yards on 21 carries, including 2 TDs, one on a 12-yard burst. And his 2-yard run on 4th and 2 to seal the Aztec victory at the end of the game.

- Quinn Kaehler’s leadership and game control, including a critical 12-yard completion on 4th and 8 with 4:00 left in the game.

Quinn Kaehler and Colin Lockett (photos by Ernie Anderson)

- Colin Lockett’s 6 receptions for 90 yards and one TD. He also returned 4 kicks for 105 yards.

- Aztec 4th quarter Defense: blocked FG, 3-and-out, 4-and-out (capped by JJ Whittaker’s INT) at key points in the quarter.

- Aztec Defense forcing the Spartans to settle for FGs in the Red Zone.

- Holding the Spartans to 81 rushing yards. The previous week, the Spartans gained 312 yards on the ground vs. UNLV.

Aztec Defense (photo by Ernie Anderson)

Late in the 4th quarter, while still behind, the sizeable contingent of Aztec fans could be heard screaming “I-BELIEVE-THAT-WE-WILL-WIN!” Maybe not The Show but loud and very emphatic! More important, it’s a TEAM that believes that they will win.

When the Aztecs rushed after the game to sing the Fight Sing with our fans, it was the loudest, most enthusiastic I’ve ever heard on the road. And repeated, of course, in the locker room.

Fans and players celebrate another Aztec victory! (photo by Ernie Anderson)

Of the 29 San Jose State games I have seen, this win moves up next to the 1966 win (and how many can I squeeze into my Top 25 without eliminating any?).

Now, on to Hawaii for a win needed to be bowl eligible. For us the multi-meaning Aloha means VICTORY!

GO AZTECS!