Yeah, a win is a win is a win. But, the San Diego State offense remains a memory. Distant memory.
You’re asking yourself, why so glum? 305 total rushing yards. 400+ total offensive yards. Do the math. Therein lies my complaint.
Congrats to Donnel Pumphrey prior to injury for 23/129. Chase Price certainly delivered as much with 27/151. Dakota Gordon had a fullback kind of game with 5/34. Well done. The offensive line was pushing the Bulldog front four off the line the majority of the game. 8/18 on third down conversions is definite improvement. As was having the ball for better than 37 minutes.
The Aztec defense was marvelous. 6 Fresno State first downs. 89 total offensive yards including an unheard of 12 yards rushing. Wow! 1.9 yards per play. 0/12 on third down. 10 punts. The defense was stellar, almost perfect and a sight for sore eyes. Thank you.
However, not mentioned in the offensive summation above is another stale and unimpressive performance delivered by Maxwell Smith. 5/12. Yuck. How and why Rocky Long and Jeff Horton continue to purposefully turn a blind eye to Mr. Smith’s lack of quarterbacking skills is beyond me. Candidly, at this point in the season, I wonder how he ever threw for significant yardage during his Kentucky days. Again, please escort Mr. Smith to the sideline . . . permanently. Christian Chapman needs a chance to display the ability to avoid a sack as well as connect with an open receiver on a regular basis.
If Aztec faithful want smash-mouth football, we have exclusively that brand of football. Those of us who remember the days of footballs flying downfield for 50+ yards at a time are feeling rather lonely and uncomfortable. Especially during the game in our near future during which the running game is corralled.
1-0. The MWC table run begins. I hope.
tipmypitch 