Aztecs Win Key Game

More than once I’ve heard people say the Aztecs’ 20-10 win over Hawaii “wasn’t a pretty win.” To me, a win is a win, especially when it’s a MW Conference game you must win.

Consider all the impressive things our Aztecs accomplished. Facing a defense touted as one of the toughest against the run, we rushed for 283 yards – 182 by DJ Pumphrey, 41 by Chase Price and 38 in a short 2-play appearance by Marcus Stamps.

On what has been a moribund passing front, Quinn Kaehler completed 54% of his passes, even with a sore shoulder, for 174 yards, including a perfect 26-yard TD pass to Lloyd Mills.

On the other side of the ball, our D was very effective. Except for the fluke Hail Mary at the end of the first half, Hawaii did very little. Only 90 yards rushing and 174 passing, and only 10 points for a team averaging 23. Defense also chalked up 2 INTs and had a fumble recovery.

Most important. This put the Aztecs at 3-1, all alone at the top of the MW West Division. Fresno State’s loss to Boise leaves the Aztecs with their destiny in their own hands.

Now a week off to prepare for Nevada, who proved how good they are with a big win over BYU at Provo. Talk about a “big game.” A tough opponent on the road seem to fit that description.

DJ Pumphrey 1^st Quarter TD (photo by Ken Ables); Damontae Kazee 4^th Quarter INT (photo by Ernie Anderson)

GO AZTECS!