Never Assume a Win! And Tomorrow’s Game Is Important

You look at San Jose State’s recent games and there’s a tendency to relax and think this will be the Aztecs’ seventh win, ensuring a bowl bid. That’s exactly how upsets are born. It’s OK if fans think that way, but Rocky can’t let the team make that mistake.

The Spartans started OK, and were 3-3 after their first six games, including a good OT win at Wyoming. Then injuries hit their QBs and they are now on a 5-game losing streak. There’s a lot of talk about who may or may not be their QB tomorrow in the game that kicks off at 12:30. Even rumors of a new offensive scheme. Hey, this game is off the betting boards.

The loss that really makes the Spartans look weak was their 13-0 shutout at the hands of Hawaii in a game played at San Jose. Hawaii can be tough in the islands, but they almost never win on the Mainland. And to shut out San Jose, well…

This series dates back to 1933, and the Spartans hold a 19-16 edge. Of all the games played, the Aztecs’ 25-0 upset win in 1966 at San Jose still ranks as one of the very best I’ve ever seen. Led by QB Danny Holman, San Jose already was playing at the major college level, and they were heavy favorites. Sports Illustrated was there to cover Holman. Instead, they ran a big feature story about our Aztecs, thanks to the defensive strategy created by John Madden and the offense led by QB Don Horn.

An Aztec win tomorrow, whatever the score, could get us an invitation to the Poinsettia Bowl. I’m sure we’d all like that!

WR Craig Scoggins pulls in a Don Horn pass in the Aztecs’ 25-0 win at San Jose State in 1966 (Photo courtesy San Diego State)

GO AZTECS!