Big Win! Bowl Eligible! ... and More!

Maybe not a perfect game. People always can find something to criticize. And there were things during the Aztecs' 30-14 win over Air Force that were worrisome. But what I saw was the most significant win in this whole season. It was the sixth win, which makes us bowl-eligible again … the fifth straight season.

Let’s start with the worrisome things. The Aztecs got off to a fast start, but made enough mistakes to not capitalize fully. Then, as they have before in this season, they gave up a momentum-swingjng TD with just 17 seconds left in the first half to give AF a 14-13 lead. Based on previous games with a similar script, you had to be concerned.

Not this time! They shut out the Falcons in the second half with great defense, including a 4th down stop that was crucial. Best effort all year. Against a very good team that was 8-2 and rolling.

Let’s quickly tick off some of the offensive highlights. Quinn Kaehler completed 17 of 30 passes for 326 yards, including four long ones. DJ Pumphrey ran for 131 net yards, and Chase Price, with fewer carries, added another 47. Team total was 176, compared with only for 140 for run-oriented AF. Ezell Ruffin led the receivers with 7 catches for 126 yards and a 35-yard TD. Eric Judge, 66 yards, including a 50-yarder. Lloyd Mills, a 32 yard great catch. Jemond Hazely, a 45-yard catch. They all helped make Kaehler’s night a big one.

The defense was tough all the way. They had one breakdown, letting AF score on a 74-yard pass play, but overall held them to 140 yards rushing, about half their average, one of the nation’s best. Even with their 189 yards passing, they totaled only 329 yards – about the same as our 326 passing. Aztecs’ total offense, 502 yards. Lots of good defensive efforts, but special praise to Calvin Munson for his team-leading 10 tackles, topped off with his 56-yard TD run with an INT to wrap up the game. Who knew he was that fast and hard to tackle!

This was a very significant win because it broke some of the patterns that had cost us games this year. And it was against a very good team. Now we need to repeat this same effort next Saturday afternoon to beat San Jose State and assure us a good bowl bid! Maybe the Poinsettia?

Jemond Hazely catches a pass from Quinn Kaehler for a 45-yard gain; Calvin Munson makes one of his 10 tackles vs. Air Force (Photos by Ernie Anderson)

GO AZTECS!