I’m in Pacific Beach at a dive bar formerly known as The Green Flash restaurant which was once a nice place to eat, but I digress. The reason I’m in the dive bar formerly known as The Green Flash is because finding an Aztec football game in a bar in Pacific Beach (San Diego) is evidently a tough trick. I left my hotel room (okay, the Pier) just after 7pm because past experience dictates finding a bar in Pacific Beach with the Aztecs on one of how many televisions blasting away is a tough trick. Do not consider the fact that we were 7-3/6-0 prior to broadcast. Doesn’t matter. After wandering up and down Garnet and Mission for twenty minutes peering into various drinking establishments in hope of catching C-CBS on a television screen, I decide to hit the board walk. Lo and behold said dive bar that was once The Green Flash restaurant holds my beloved Aztecs on a couple of their wall hung (don’t go there) television sets, monitors, whatever. I’m five minutes late, but nothing’s happened. The bartender cheerfully informs me that if I want a drink, wander over and let her know. Quality joint. But, they had C-CBS. Or were at least willing to admit as much.
Now for the game.
Five rushing touchdowns. The Aztec front-five were marvelous. Complete domination of the UNLV defensive line. Hats off to our tight ends as well. The UNLV linebackers were as ineffective as their defensive line. Countless moments of UNLV front seven running into each other because of being pushed backed by SDSU blockers. Donnel averaged 9.9 yards per rush. Enough proof? I hope so. Our average field position during the first half was somewhere in the UNLV locker room. Maxwell Smith had another serviceable game: 11/17/107 and game nine without an interception (perhaps the best stat of all). 7/7 in the red zone continues a trend of scoring when expected. I believe we are 94% for the year in the sacred red zone.
The defense allowed 80 yards rushing. Great. But, the 270 yards passing was shockingly bad, especially against a team without their starting quarterback. Something to work on this week prior to Nevada arriving. Seven sacks was impressive as was 21 points off turnovers.
8-3/7-0. Nevada arrives after giving away their game to Utah State. Play for pride? I don’t know. The Wolfpack coach doesn’t strike me as a motivator. The Aztecs can finish the season undefeated in MWC play with a win over Nevada. That is motivation. Air Force waits for us in the MWC championship game. To think that this would have happened after a 1-3 start is frankly stunning. Reversal of fortune through hard work, belief and a quality coaching staff.
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