Posts Tagged ‘Aztec’

30-14. Losers In Reno. Or, Zero-Zero Is Not Welcome.

Posted: November 2, 2014 in Uncategorized
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Consecutive zeros never deliver offensive charm, and last night was no exception.  Zero in the third.  Zero in the fourth.  Anemic, to be polite.  The Aztec offense could not put the ball in the end zone.  Thus, the game.

Kaehler was average:  21/36/1 (mandatory interception) for 189 yards.  A shoulder shrug.  Meh.  Chase Price was impressive.  Not only 58 yards on 8 rushes, but 4 catches as well.  Jake “Fifth Gear” Fely’s return was welcome, but no real effect in the end.  Kind of the same with Ruffin.  Good to have him on the field, but a loss is a loss.

As for the Wolfpack, Fajardo was contained and his passing was ineffective (10/24/1 for a mere 109 yards).  What the Aztec defense could not stop was Jackson (20/124) and Butler (15/103).  A lot of their yardage was up the middle.  Another sign of a bad night.

I must admit that a bowl game is looking doubtful.  Boise, Nevada and the surprising Rams of CSU have the nod at this point. We can only hope for a near perfect finish with the remaining games.  Here’s hoping.

SDSU 20-10, Over The Rainbow

Posted: October 19, 2014 in Uncategorized
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While the Aztec offense was generally incapable of scoring in the almighty red zone for most of the evening, the Aztec defense was the definition of beauty . . . if you are a football fan.  Hawaii scrapped together a paltry 264 yards of total offense including less than 100 yards of rushing offense.  Two interceptions, one each by Damontae Kazee and Malik Smith, at key moments, removed any hope of momentum on behalf of the Rainbow.  SDSU stopping Hawaii’s late third quarter drive sealed the deal.  Hawaii had the ball a mere 2:49 in the fourth quarter.  No chance to close the gap.  Less the fluke touchdown at the end of the second quarter, Hawaii does not score a touchdown.  The final bit of proof:  Six punts on behalf of the visitors.

As for the Aztec offense, ugly, but effective enough.  Quinn Kaehler (13/24/174) played well given his shoulder consideration. No interceptions was nice.  He hit 10 different receivers for completions.  I will generally ignore the glaring number of dropped passes on behalf of the receiving corps.  71 offensive plays and 457 total yards suggest that SDSU should have put at least another 17 points on the board.  Hageman missing from 31 is proof he’s human, and remains a tremendous upgrade from last year’s field goal efforts.  Donnel (25/182) may have to share more time with not only Chase Price, but Marcus Stamps as well.  Mr. Stamps run of 34 yards was a combination of grace and bruising-cruising.  Imagine Bob Toledo working a few plays with a three back set of the following four:  Pumphrey, Price, Stamps and Gordon.  Linebackers wince at the mere thought.

A well deserved and timed week off allows Mr. Kaehler rest and rehab.  Same goes for all Aztecs suffering dings and dents.  Ezell Ruffin should return for the Idaho game (11/8), though do not be surprised if he plays against Nevada (11/1).

4-3/3-1.  At Nevada is the immediate challenge.  Less a complete breakdown, Idaho is a win.  Boise did not impress against Fresno.  Air Force is never easy.  San Jose needing overtime to beat Wyoming is a great sign for SDSU.  Worst case for the last 5 games is 3-2, though I’m hopeful for 5-0.  Call me greedy.

24-14, Aztecs Beat A Bad UNM Team

Posted: October 12, 2014 in Uncategorized
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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.

34-17, Aztecs Over UNLV, Yet I’m Not Entirely Happy

Posted: September 29, 2014 in Uncategorized
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Pumphrey had a great game.  4 touchdowns and 167 yards rushing.  Truly outstanding.  The offense rolled for 466 yards.  But, Kaehler continues to look less than sharp.  16/27/0 reads well enough, but I find anemic the 209 yards passing.  Only one sack was well done on behalf of the offensive line.  The Aztec front five did a fine job dominating the Rebels.  Just ask Pumphrey.

The UNLV qb throwing for 346 yards was living proof the last 5 of the Aztec defense having a collective bad game.  I know I’m in full complaint mode, but I found disappointing the 6/14 third down conversions and the 2/2 fourth down efforts.  UNLV is a bad football team.  The Aztec defense should not hand out second chances.  However, sacking the UNLV qb on 6 separate occasions was impressive.  Alex Barrett especially so.

1-0 in conference play.  Candidly, the fact that Fresno State had such a hard time defeating UNM displays real opportunity for SDSU to take the West.  Boise losing to Air Force means the Mountain division is a likely free for all.  If the Aztecs can remain undefeated at home and at the very least split the road games that means a 6-2 MWC record.  Three of the next four games are on the road (at Fresno, at UNM, Hawaii at the Q followed by a trip to Reno).  Taking two of those three road games is more than possible.

 

 

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