Memorable Games Highlight Coryell and Rocky Aztec Eras

Rashaad Penny carries vs. Stanford, 2017
(Ernie Anderson) 

Frank Aronoff (whose Aztec files have proved so helpful to me), my son Ken and I got together to single out special games played under Coaches Don Coryell and Rocky Long. Games that were upsets, were milestones, created national awareness and respect, or provided special features.

Start with the 20-17 upset win over Stanford last Saturday: a last-minute come-from-behind victory, after a 22-minute blackout. Or just back to last year’s Vegas Bowl upset of highly regarded Houston. We think you will agree with these, orchestrated by Rocky, along with others.

Craig Scoggins vs. North Dakota State
(San Diego State)

Going back half a century, we found these in the Coryell Era, all in one season, 1966. The 25-0 upset of San Jose State that resulted in a SPORTS ILLUSTRATED feature; a come-from-behind win at Weber State, when coaches installed a new offense at halftime, an offense QB Don Horn says was forerunner to the “West Coast” offense; and topped by the 36-0 win over North Dakota State, before the all-time record crowd in Balboa Stadium, to capture small-college National Championship (also featured in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED).

27 total. In his 12 years here, Don racked up 14; and still in his 7th year, Rocky has 13. Of special meaning to me, 11 games have been on the road, which makes me glad I’ve traveled a lot.

These are our choices. You may have your own. Let us hear from you.

Don Coryell

1961 Aztecs 18, MCRD 13, Aztec Bowl: Aztecs win final game to finish 7-2-1
1962 Aztecs 29, Fresno State 26, Aztec Bowl: Aztecs beat Bulldogs in first "Fog Bowl"
1962 Aztecs 32, Pacific 18, Aztec Bowl: Aztecs score 32 on D1 #8 defense
1966 Aztecs 38, Weber State 34, Ogden, UT: birth of Air Coryell
1966 Aztecs 25, San Jose State 0, San Jose: Aztec D shuts out D1 offense leader on the road
1966 Aztecs 36, North Dakota State 0, Balboa Stadium: Aztecs ranked #1 after beating Bison
1967 Aztecs 16, Tennessee State 8, San Diego Stadium: first game in new stadium
1968 Aztecs 68, Southern Miss 7, San Diego Stadium: Alabama had only scored 17 on the Golden Eagles that season
1969 Aztecs 70, New Mexico State 21, San Diego Stadium: 3 NCAA records set, 2 still stand
1969 Aztecs 28, Boston U. 7, Pasadena Bowl: Aztecs win bowl and end 1st season in D1 11-0
1970 Aztecs 31, BYU 11, San Diego Stadium: Aztecs dominate Cougars in first game since 1948
1971 Aztecs 39, Arizona 10, San Diego Stadium: Aztecs dominate Wildcats in first game since 1948
1972 Aztecs 17, Oregon State 8, San Diego Stadium: 1st win vs. a member of the PAC-8/10/12
1972 Aztecs 27, Iowa State 14, San Diego Stadium: Aztecs win Coryell’s last game as coach

Rocky Long

2011 Aztecs 23, Army 20, West Point, NY: Aztec D makes last-minute stand to preserve win 
2011 Aztecs 42, Washington State 24, Qualcomm Stadium: first win over a Power 5 team since 1999
2012 Aztecs 39, Nevada 38, Reno, NV: Aztecs go for 2 in OT and win
2012 Aztecs 21, Boise State 19, Boise, ID: Aztecs let Broncos know they aren't impressed by their WAC success or their ugly blue rug
2012 Aztecs 42, Wyoming 28, Laramie, WY: Aztecs first MW championship
2013 Aztecs 34, Boise State 21, Qualcomm Stadium: come-from-behind OT win
2015 Aztecs 27, Air Force 24, MW Championship Game, Qualcomm Stadium: Aztecs win 1st MW Championship game
2015 Aztecs 42, Cincinnati 7, Hawaii Bowl: Rashaad Penny returns opening kick for TD and Aztecs dominate favored Bearcats
2016 Aztecs 45, Cal 40, Qualcomm Stadium: Aztecs beat a Power 5 team for first time since 2011
2016 Aztecs 27, Wyoming 24, MW Championship Game, Laramie, WY: Aztecs become first team to win back-to-back MW championship games
2016 Aztecs 34, Houston 10, Las Vegas Bowl: DJ Pumphrey sets NCAA rushing record; Aztecs become first team in history with a 2,000- and 1,000-yard rusher
2017 Aztecs 30, Arizona State 20, Tempe, AZ: first Power 5 road win since 1975
2017 Aztecs 20, Stanford 17, San Diego Stadium: 1st win over ranked Power 5 since 1981, 3 in a row vs. Pac-12

Meanwhile, Rocky, add some more!

GO AZTECS!