Some Odd Facts About the Aztecs/Lobos Rivalry

Except for our 53-game rivalry with Fresno State, which dates back to 1923, New Mexico is next-longest with 38 games played since 1953, and I have seen them all. The Aztecs lead the series, 23-15.

There have been some odd streaks in this series. After losing the first 3 games ever played, the Aztecs came back to win the next 5. Then, after losing the next 2, the Aztecs won 13 in a row from 1984 to 1996. A short back-and-forth, then New Mexico rolled to 8 straight wins, capped by that embarrassing 70-7 loss in Albuquerque in 2008. Now the Aztecs are riding a 3-game win streak, hoping to keep it alive tonight!

Interestingly, the only New Mexico coach to beat the Aztecs in the MWC era is… Rocky Long.

And Rocky Long was 9-2 vs. the Aztecs as Lobo head coach.

The Lobos have won only 6 out of 27 Aztec games when Rocky Long was not their head coach.

In his two roles, as head coach of SDSU and UNM, Rocky Long is 10-2. Let’s be there to cheer him on to 11-2.

Pete Inge anchored the Aztec O-line in the 35-7 victory at New Mexico in 1979 (photo by Ernie Anderson); Walter Kazee scores one of his 3 TDs in another 35-7 Aztec win over New Mexico, 2011 (photo by Ken Ables)

 

At halftime, the latest five all-time Aztec greats will be honored for their induction into the Aztec Hall of Fame.

Brandon Heath 2003-2007: SDSU’s all-time leader in scoring (2,189), field goals (749), three-pointers (281) and minutes played (4,275). Brandon was an honorable mention All-American and Mountain West Conference Player of the Year as a junior in the 2005-06 season.

Mark Reynolds 1975-79: A multiple Olympian, winning a gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games and a two-time Olympic Committee Athlete of the Year for sailing. Mark was named an ICYRA All-American in 1975, and he was inducted into the Sailing World’s Hall of Fame in 2002.

Choc Sportsman: Charles “Choc” Sportsman won two Division II cross country titles and a Division II outdoor track & field title as head track & field and cross country coach at San Diego State. His teams won the NCAA Division II Cross Country titles in 1965 and 1966 and the 1966 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championship. Choc also was an assistant coach for the football team in 1947. SDSU’s track and field facility is named in his honor. Among athletes he coached to greatness were fellow Hall of Famers Willie Steele and Bob Smith.

Michelle Suman 1991-95: Left SDSU as the women’s basketball program’s all-time leader in consecutive starts (118) and blocked shots (251). Michelle also held the record for most blocked shots in a single season (87) and a game (9).

Don Warren 1976-79: In his best season at SDSU as a junior TE in 1978, Don caught 39 passes for 483 yards and four touchdowns. A fourth-round selection in the 1979 NFL Draft, he went on to be a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Washington Redskins.

Hall of Fame posters by Ernie Anderson

GO AZTECS!