Aztecs Need to Win This First Road Game

OK, we’re off to a 2-0 start, including the important 45-40 win over the Cal Bears. Now, can we win on the road? The Northern Illinois Huskies are the first test.

Referred to as the “superpower” of the MAC, the Huskies have been to a post-season bowl game each of the last 8 years. Injury-riddled, they lost badly to Boise State here in the Poinsettia Bowl last year.

Offensively, they have a very strong O-line, an injury-prone QB and very good RBs, headed by Joel Bouagnon. Last season they ran for 2,662 yards, and carriers for all but 28 of those yards are back! The defense is a question mark. They were both good and bad last year, and so far this season they are not too impressive. But that was on the road, with losses to Wyoming, 40-34, and South Florida, 48-17. Now they will be where they usually control things. Last year they were 5-1 at Huskie Stadium, losing only a close one to Ohio, 26-21.

Ready for the trip to Dekalb, but hard to get the Cal game out of our minds. Some lingering thoughts:

CONGRATULATIONS to DJ Pumphrey for breaking Marshall Faulk's career rushing record. With 281 yards against Cal, DJ has 4,651. Nice touch to DJ's record -- he set record before a big, boisterous crowd at home, not on the road in front of unappreciative fans at NIU! He also tied a Marshall Faulk record with his 23rd career 100-yard game. Well done, DJ! 

Rashaad Penny was another Aztec record breaker last Saturday with his 100-yard kick-off return; his fourth. He also tied the NCAA longest KOR record: 100 yards being all the NCAA recognizes. Penny actually covered about 103, starting his return from inside the end zone.

Both Pumphrey and Penny won MW honors for their great performances. DJ was named the MW Offensive Player of the Week, and Rashaad was named MW Special Teams Player of the Week. Well done; well deserved!

MW Players of the Week: DJ Pumphrey (Offense); Rashaad Penny (Special Teams) Photos by Ernie Anderson

Damontae Kazee lived up to his reputation by making game ending INT to preserve important win for Aztecs.
                
Our 45-40 win over Cal was important because it was the only chance our Aztecs have this year to beat a Power 5 team during the regular season. Let's see, Jared Goff Cal’s QB last year, was first pick in NFL draft. To me, Davis Webb looked almost as good, but a little erratic at times. Let’s watch to see how he does this week at home against Texas.

It was a great win for our Aztecs! But can't help worrying about the flood of penalties, 14 for 105 yards! Many affected the game.

Sorry, can’t blank out memories of the Cal game. But gotta listen to Rocky and concentrate on NIU. I hear you, Coach. I will be ready!

GO AZTECS!