Stanford Win Was Great, But Tough Air Force Awaits on the Road

Rocky might not approve, but let me continue to savor the 20-17 victory over Stanford. Late as it was, it still got the nation’s attention. It boosted the Aztecs to #22 in the AP Poll; #25 in Coaches Poll.

Our game-winning drive at the end deserves review. Aztecs, trailing 17-13, took over on their own 25 with 6:15 left. From there they launched an almost perfect drive to the winning touchdown. Five plays (with just one incomplete pass) carried them to the Cardinal 42. Moving well. Good momentum.

And then the stadium lights went out! A momentum changer? Maybe, but 22 minutes later, the lights are back, and so were our Aztecs. 6 successful plays.

Blackout in the stands and on the field (Ken Ables)

Rashaad Penny ran 3 times for 11 yards; Christian Chapman completed 3 of 3 passes. The final one, a classic play-action pass from the 8. While the Cardinal concentrated on Penny, David Wells broke clear, Chapman hit him clean and Wells barreled his way over a defender for the winning touchdown.

Rashaad Penny, Christian Chapman (Ernie Anderson)

With 54 seconds left, Stanford still had a shot. But on first down a long pass was intercepted by Kameron Kelly.

In the Holder Twins battle, our Mikah did great, with 7 catches for 85 yards, but not always covered by Alijah. Looking at scores so far, here’s an oddity: in losing to the Aztecs, UC Davis and Stanford each scored 17 points. If they played each other, do you think it would be a tie?

David Wells game-winning TD; Mikah Holder has bragging rights for life (Ernie Anderson)

Now, let’s get serious about this week’s tough MW Conference game at Air Force. The Falcons are good this year. And they share the advantage Wyoming has at home, with nearly 7,000 feet elevation.

The Falcons rely on the run, averaging 320.5 yards per game, 7th best in the NCAA after two games (Rashaad Penny, by the way, is leading the nation with 588 rushing yards; no Falcon is in the top 10). They played Michigan tough for three quarters in Ann Arbor on Saturday, losing to the Wolverines 29-13.

As Coach emphasizes, the key is to forget Stanford, play tough and make sure we beat Air Force. Early betting line: Aztecs favored by 3-1/2 points.

GO AZTECS!

Stanford Game Offers Opportunity

Without disagreeing with Coach, who stresses the importance of MW Conference games, I’m convinced Saturday’s game here with Stanford offers a special opportunity for our Aztecs to gain national recognition.

Year after year you will find the Cardinal ranked and in a bowl game. So it’s more than just being a Pac12 team. Rocky’s Aztecs have been making progress too. Three MW Championships, seven bowl games in a row. Great players, like DJ Pumphrey, Damontae Kazee, Nico Siragusa, Rashaad Penny.

Rashaad Penny (Ernie Anderson)

The 30-20 win at Arizona State, who was favored to win, on the heels of a predictable 38-17 victory over UC Davis, make the Aztecs 2-0. Still, we are 9-1/2-point underdogs as this is written, so an upset win would be very meaningful. Ranked #25 in both polls at the end of the 2016 season, and one of the teams also getting votes now, the Aztecs already are establishing themselves as a solid program.

Even though we lost seven key players to graduation, Rocky has successfully built depth, so we are not hurting. Best example, gone is DJ Pumphrey, the all-time NCAA leader in rushing yards. So, Penny steps right in. Against the Sun Devils, he rushed for 216 yards, including a 95-yard touchdown; had a 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown; and added 38 yards receiving, including a crucial touchdown catch.

Noble Hall (Ernie Anderson)

For his efforts Rashaad was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, and the Aztecs swept the MW Player of the Week awards, with Noble Hall – 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss (20 yards), 2 forced fumbles – winning for Defense and Rashaad for Offense and Special Teams. Until then, no player in the history of the conference had ever won two Player of the Week awards the same week.

Stanford has given up 226.5 rushing yards per game; 205.5 passing; defense is not their strength. On offense they’re balanced, with a 228.5/270.5 split. You know they will be ready to make up for their 42-24 loss to USC. A big crowd at Aztec Warrior Stadium would help the Aztecs. So, be there.

As a plus, it’s the Aztec Hall of Fame game, with five new inductees honored at halftime: Steve Fisher and DJ Gay, basketball; Craig Penrose and Whip Walton, football; and NCAA discus Champion and 2016 Olympian Whitney Ashley.

Steve Fisher, DJ Gay, Craig Penrose, Whip Walton, Whitney Ashley (Fisher, Gay, Penrose photos by Ernie Anderson)

GO AZTECS!

Aztecs Face Big Step Up With Second Game

Aztec Football got off to a winning start with the expected results. Rashaad Penny was unstoppable, with 197 yards in only 3 quarters. With improved receivers, QB Christian Chapman had a big night passing. The defense, except for the long completed pass on the Aggies' first play from scrimmage, looked strong. At least until Rocky turned the 4th quarter over to inexperienced players.

Rashaad Penny; Christian Chapman with OL protection (Ernie Anderson)

This week it will be a lot tougher playing Arizona State, a Pac 12 team, on the road. It will still be hot even with an 8 p.m. kick-off. History favors ASU. They lead the series, 11-0-1. This would be their 7th straight victory over a non-conference opponent. And this would be the 90th career win for Coach Todd Graham.

The Sun Devils may not be near the top of the Pac 12, but they are good. So, a road win here would be meaningful and serve as a valuable prep for next week's home game against nationally ranked Stanford. 


GO AZTECS!