Disappointment. Encouragement. Added Treat.

We can tick off all the challenges – injuries to key players, including QB Quinn Kaehler; starting a true Freshman QB with virtually no game experience;  short week of practice before a road game; but the basic fact is, the Aztecs lost a key MW game at Fresno.

QB Nick Bawden got off to a shaky start, unable to complete passes, but he improved as the game went on. The D, after giving up early points, settled down. And when the score got to be 17-14, it looked like we’d pull it out. It was not to be. Without blaming all on the officials, there was that sequence of penalties, starting with a partially blocked punt ruled a roughing the kicker penalty; and the INT problem led to the Bulldogs putting the game away.

Still, even with no big breakaway runs, Donnel Pumphrey ran for 94 net yards. Both punting and placekicking were solid. Is the glass half empty or half full? Always the optimist, after watching the whole game replayed, I felt we played better than I had thought, and saw enough positives to believe Nick Bawden will develop into a very good QB. Now, with Kaehler still sidelined for New Mexico this Friday, let’s see how fast that development will come.

Other thoughts… Obviously, the games are the reason I make the trips. But I have to say there are often extra things that make the trips special for me. For example, at Fresno, I enjoyed the distinct treat of visiting with Todd Santos, who was on the sideline to support his Aztecs. Todd, our great QB from 1984-1987, set a  now-surpassed NCAA all-time record for career passing yards with 11,425, and is still 2nd in Aztecs records for career yards, behind only Ryan Lindley’s 12,690.

Also had another reunion with Terry Mendenhall, who makes at least one or two Aztec road games every season. Terry was a mainstay on Don Coryell’s 1969-70 teams. Add to that a friendly pre-game visit with Dave Schramm, on the Aztec coaching staff from 1992 to 2001, now the Offensive Coordinator for Fresno. Top it all off when a young Aztec fan came down with his family to visit at halftime. He was only a year old when I met him at his first Aztec game in 2010 at Wyoming, which was my 700th. Maybe this lets you see why these “extras” add so much to my enjoyment of Aztec football trips.

Aztec QB Nick Bawden (photo by Ernie Anderson); with Aztec QB Todd Santos (1984-87), whose #8 is one of only three retired Aztec numbers (photo by Ken Ables)

GO AZTECS!

 

Aztecs’ Oldest Rivalry, a Key Game

When the Aztecs meet Fresno State tonight in Bulldog Stadium, it will be a pivotal contest in Mountain West Conference play. More than that for me because this always has been my favorite rivalry.

It’s certainly our oldest and longest rivalry, with 53 games -- the first one in 1923. (Yes, before I was born!) C.E. Peterson was the head coach (as he was also for basketball and other sports). It was just the third year of San Diego State College football, our school colors were purple and gold, and the team nickname was alternately the Wampus Cats and the Professors. We won that one, 12-2. The amazing stat: there were 7,000 people in City Stadium for that game, and the City population was less than100,000!

To give you an idea how even this rivalry has been, the total scoring in 53 games since that first one, played 91 years ago: 1,129 to 1,126. And we lead the series, 27-22-4. The longest continuous stretch of games was from 1945 to 1979 – 34 straight seasons. The longest Aztec winning streak: 9 games, 1962 to 1970, all during the Coryell years.

A lot of the Fresno games leap to my mind. One that still sticks in my memory was the game in 1950 when we came from behind to tie it on the very last play of the game in Aztec Bowl. Even though the QB who threw that TD pass to Art Preston was Jesse Thompson, our other QB that night was Leon Parma, whose name you can see on the entrance to the Alumni Building, along with Jack Goodall and Bob Payne.

One game most longtime Aztec fans always talk about was the famous “Fog Bowl” in Aztec Bowl in 1962. A sellout crowd of 14,500 was there to “see” their Aztecs upset favored Fresno, 29-26, in Don Coryell's second season, snapping an 8-game Bulldogs winning streak. It was by far the thickest fog I've ever seen. The radio announcer, Al Couppee, went down to the field, and players from that game have told me he actually was in the huddle to hear what plays were called!

Enough about the past and why I love this rivalry so much. Tonight is what’s important right now, and our offense is in the hands of a true Freshman, Nick Bawden. I am convinced he will do well. Maybe not perfect (who is?), but he has the tools to be a great one. We will see his first step tonight!

Clockwise from upper left: C.E. Peterson, Art Preston (#35), Leon Parma, Jesse Thompson (#16). Photos courtesy of San Diego State

GO AZTECS!

Bright Spots and Questions in Win Over UNLV

A win is a win, especially when it’s a conference game. And there were lots of reasons to smile, along with some nagging concerns, after the Aztecs whipped UNLV, 34-17, to open the MW Conference schedule successfully. From all of the many positives, one thing stands out in my mind.

Sitting on a 21-7 lead, the Aztecs forced the Rebels to punt and took over the ball at their own 15 with only 43 seconds left in the first half. So, what do you do? Run a couple of ground plays and head for the dressing room? Not our Aztecs. Quinn Kaehler completed a 24-yard pass to Larry Clark and a 15-yard pass to Mikah Holder to put them in Rebel territory. Then Lloyd Mills made a spectacular catch for a 45-yard gain to the one-yard line. After an incomplete and unscripted pass by Donnel Pumphrey, he ran the ball in for his fourth TD of the game, making it 28-7.

Remembering that we were without our two top receivers – Ezell Ruffin with a broken collar bone, and Eric Judge with a knee injury – it makes that drive even more impressive.

There were lots of other positives. No turnovers by the Aztecs. Two interceptions by the Aztecs. Scored in 5 of 5 Red Zone chances. Pumphrey ran for 167 yards. Improved tackling. But pass defense still leaves us concerned.

A quick look ahead – With his injured shoulder keeping Quinn Kaehler out of action this week, Nick Bawden, a true Freshman, will start at QB. From what I’ve seen of him, don’t be surprised if he really takes charge in Friday’s key game with Fresno State!

Lloyd Mills makes a 45-yard reception to set-up the Aztecs’ fourth TD of the first half;
Donnel Pumphrey scored 4 rushing TDs (photos by Ken Ables)

 GO AZTECS!

UNLV – A Series with Some Puzzlers

No matter what you think will be the outcome tonight in the Aztecs’ Mountain West opener against UNLV, you’d better be sure to be there to see what actually happens.

The series dates back only to 1977, so this isn’t ancient history. The Aztecs won that first game, 31-7, and lead 14-9 in games played. We’ve been especially efficient at home, with a commanding 9-3 record. But don’t relax.

You probably remember last year’s shocker at Vegas. The Aztecs had won 7 of their last 8 games, and jumped off to a fast 7-0 lead just 41 seconds into the game. A laugher, eh? Wrong! From there it was virtually all Rebels in a 45-19 shellacking. Most of their damage was through the air.

You may not remember quite so vividly the huge upset in 1996. This was a very good Aztec team. They went to Vegas with a 6-2 record, including an impressive 51-31 win over the Oklahoma Sooners. By contrast, the Rebels were 0-10. But they came away with a 44-42 upset victory for their only win of that season.

Enough warning? That said, I am a firm believer in the 2014 Aztecs! Be there tonight to help me cheer the Aztecs on to a 1-0 start in the MW race.

Walter Kazee goes up and over for 6 vs. UNLV at the Q in 2012. Aztecs won 24-13
(photo by Ken Ables)

GO AZTECS!

Great Start! But No Finish.

The opening drive at Oregon State was a work of art. Aztecs, 7-0. Looked like we were in for a fun night of football. And when our defense took over, they looked strong, too. In fact, right until the end of the first half, things looked promising. The dreaded INT already had raised its ugly head once, but we looked capable of winning.

From there, it all went downhill. I don’t know when I have seen our offense look so flat. And the defense lost some of its edge, although they did do a good job of putting pressure on the Beavers’ QB, Sean Mannion, only to have him get off passes that our DBs failed to cover well.

In the end, it was a disappointing 28-7 loss. And a long ride home for the team. I don’t envy them getting home about 5 in the morning and then start prepping for Saturday’s home game with UNLV. It’s the MW Conference opener, so it has extra meaning. Better be ready to play a full game this week! And, remembering last season, do not take UNLV for granted!

Lloyd Mills gained 36 yards on the first play of the game. (Photo by Ernie Anderson)

GO AZTECS!