The maniac rant is first, analysis is second.
Nick Bawden brings very little. He is ineffective. He is a mid-level manager searching for inspiration while claiming to provide leadership. 4 of 13 for 63 yards is not an Aztec quarterback. Nor a quarterback who should appear on a depth chart. If Mr. Bawden is the best Brian Sipe can recruit from the deep pool of southern California, then I impolitely suggest that Mr. Sipe log many more miles on his car. I firmly suggest that Mr. Bawden sit for the remainder of the year while Christian Chapman assumes the number two spot on the depth chart.
Speaking of quarterbacks, the return of Quinn Kaehler was of note. Upon his third quarter entry, the offense was much crisper. Seemingly, SDSU looked like the second coming of the 49ers offense during the 1980s. Yet, all we did was run. And run. And run. Thank goodness for Donnel Pumphrey and Chase Price. Those two were fantastic. Donnel logging 246 yards and Chase hitting 141 yards were both a sight to behold. And, yes, I forgive both of you for fumbling. But, no more. Congrats to the offensive line. The big guys were head and shoulders above the UNM d-line. Bob Toledo found something lacking on the left side of the UNM defense, and the Aztec line pummeled that weakness. Better conditioning, stronger. Altitude be damned. Well done.
The Aztec defense continues to impress. The Lobos triple option did not provide much of any option the entire evening. 152 yards rushing and a mere 111 yards passing is testament to another top-notch SDSU defensive effort. The poor 4 for 13 on third down conversions was further proof of an Aztec defense that clicked the entire night. Trey Lomax played his best game of the year. Damontae Kazee had an impressive fourth quarter. I did note that Rocky went with a four-man front the entire game. Dakota Turner has played himself into a starting role.
I have accepted that Mr. Kaehler will throw at least one interception per game. I’d rather that outcome than the alternative.
Hawaii at the Q is next. 3-3/2-1 should (always a dangerous word) become 4-3/3-1. Fresno State’s loss to UNLV was most welcome.
tipmypitch 