Significant Win; Now Big Challenge

The 30-7 win over San Jose State was very important. Aztecs are firmly in first place in the MW West at 3-0, and now face their biggest challenge here Friday night against Utah State, who just upset Boise State, 52-26; it was 45-10 at the half!

Our win was a clear message delivered to a much-improved SJSU. They came into the game averaging more than 27 points a game, led by RB Tyler Ervin. He was right there running 1, 2 or 3 in rushing categories nationally.

The Aztec defense delivered the message emphatically on the Spartans’ first series, First down: Ervin dumped for a 4-yard loss. Second down: QB sacked for another 4-yard loss. The pattern was set. Rushing, SJ had only 4 net yards in the first quarter; 28 in the second; 21 in the third; and minus 18 in the fourth! Just 35 yards for the whole game. Passing didn’t make up for it; only 113 yards for a total offense of 148 yards. The Aztecs repeated their message at the start of the second half, intercepting passes on the first two SJ series, which led to a FG and a TD. The first INT was Damontae Kazee’s fifth of the season.

Our offense continued to get sharper. Opening with a 28-yard pass, we let San Jose know we do more than run the ball. And Maxwell Smith kept his record sharp with 10 of 14 for 148 yards; one, a 38-yard TD to DJ Pumphrey. And no INTS in his last 100 passes. DJ was again the DJ we expect. (Maybe it took a high ankle sprain to really get him in full gear this season.) Anyway, he ran for 152 yards and caught two passes for another 55 and a total of 207 yards. We kept our Red Zone record perfect until taking a knee at the San Jose goal line as time ran out.

On the worrisome side, the Aztecs reverted to their habit of costly penalties, which played a role in the one TD they gave up. For the game, there were 9 penalties for 72 yards.

Of the 16 games I have seen in Spartan Stadium, this was one of the best ever. Of course, I doubt anything ever will match that 25-0 upset win in 1966.

Now we face a huge test, Friday night at 7:30 in Aztec Warrior Stadium. The Utah State Aggies just clobbered highly ranked Boise State, 52-26, after crushing Fresno State, 56-24. They had expected to be good but then lost their ace QB Chuckie Keeton to a season ending injury. But Kent Myers stepped in and has been even better. Two good RBs share the running game and have rolled up 575 yards. They average about 31 points a game. And their defense has held six opponents (including Utah and Washington) to only 90 yards a game rushing. This is a game no one would want to miss!

Maxwell Smith, Damontae Kazee (photos by Ernie Anderson)

GO AZTECS!