SDSU earned the win. Air Force is never easy, never gives up. With a mere five seconds remaining and a Hail Mary, until the ball falls to the ground and yellow flags remain in pockets, all was in play. Thankfully, the ball fell to the ground.
I have never heard such volume and general noise from a crowd of barely 20,000 fans. Well done each and every Aztec fan. Why more of us, especially those of us who live in San Diego, do not attend games is a bit of mystery. Regardless, when the “I Believe We Will Win” chant broke out, so did the momentum.
Consider the following: Christian Chapman gets his first start and finishes 9/14/0 with a touchdown pass. Plus, he runs for 32 yards. Alex Barrett moves to the nose guard spot while Kyle Kelley takes Barrett’s spot. This game was Kelley’s first start as well. The conference championship win was consecutive win number 9. We finish with 10 wins. We have not lost since September. The 24 points allowed was the most against a MW opponent the entire 2015 season. Granted, Air Force is not a passing team, but holding any division one school to 35 yards passing is impressive. Air Force was a miserable 2/11 in third down conversions. Consider two of their scores were based on a fumbled punt and what should have been a lost fumble that was kicked a few dozen yards toward their goal line.
Offensively what I liked best was 10-10, 17-17, 24-24. Our version of determination. Finally, Donny Hageman settles the score with his 46 yard field goal (I will miss him) and the Aztec defense closes the game.
The Cincinnati Bearcats await. Our first cousins when uniforms are discussed. The Hawaii Bowl is perfectly fine with me. To think of what might have been if we beat South Alabama. Oh, well. Spilt milk and all that. 10-3 sits fine with me.
A tip of the helmet to players, coaches and staff. May Rocky Long coach the Aztecs forever.
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